Chamber president thanks those who contributed
To the editor:
The Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation was humbled by the outpouring of generosity from our community for this year’s Spirit of the Holidays. A total of 103 children received gifts that ranged from fulfilling requests for bedding and clothes to age appropriate toys and 19 bicycles. The bicycles were given with the help of the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation who donated bicycle helmets for each bicycle recipient. Funding was raised at the annual pancake breakfast, the dinner and auction, and generous donations through the local papers giving stockings.
There were 29 Publix gift cards handed out to needy families totaling $1,600 to provide funding for a family holiday meal. This year’s effort was made much easier by the willingness of area neighbors to participate with gifts requested by children on a number of giving trees.
Fundraising efforts generated over $14,000. Every penny of the money raised goes into a separate bank account. There are no administrative or other charges because all money goes for the children either around Christmas or for the Easter Egg Hunt in April.
The Spirit of the Holidays committee would like to give a special thanks to your paper for all of the efforts given because your paper directly helped generate significant dollars for these children.
The Foundation and the Spirit of the Holidays committee would like to thank the selfless efforts of so many Fort Myers Beach Firemen, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, the Red Coconut RV Park, South Beach Grille (dinner & auction site) and Costco (pancake breakfast at the Red Coconut). Christmas giving tree participating businesses included Lahaina Realty, Indian Creek Park, Century 21 Tri-Power Realty, South Beach Grille, Red Coconut RV Park and the Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Special thanks to Corri Francesco for picking up gifts left at the giving tree sites.
Spirit of the Holidays Chairwoman Amy Jane Mellott expressed the committee’s sentiments this way: “Although we likely had a record number of children to help this year, I was so proud of how our committee and the community really stepped up to make this year’s needs met. The additional help for our local kids and families happened only by the record-breaking kindness of our donors, participants, and other contributors. I witnessed the strength of our community coming together to show the real “Spirit of the Holidays” for our neighbors and friends.”
Chamber of Commerce Foundation Chairwoman Fran Myers expressed her appreciation: “Of all of the important functions that our Foundation performs for the community, both obvious and less known, Spirit of the Holidays is a shining example of how our community really steps up for our children and our families.”
Donations are still being accepted at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce office at 17200 San Carlos Boulevard. To keep updated for upcoming Spirit of the Holidays events and happenings, please check out the website at: www.thespiritoftheholidays.org.
John Albion
FMB Chamber president