The 11th annual “Love Your Neighbor”, an event featuring Norman Love Confections and Mark Loren Designs, will be held Tuesday, February 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the riverfront Gulf Harbour home of Mary Jo Little. Guests will enjoy live music, fine wine and spirits and an assortment of culinary creations from local restaurants and chefs. Live and silent auction items will be offered and all proceeds will benefit educational programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights Neighborhood. $443,000 was raised at last year’s event. VIP upgrades and sponsorships that include the exclusive VIP pre-party at a new luxury home in Gulf Harbour are available.
Kathryn Kelly and David Lucas
Local philanthropists Linda and Davis Lucas will be recognized at the event for their long-time support of The Heights Foundation.
“We are happy to support the work of The Heights Foundation,” said David Lucas. “Over the past 20 years, we have seen it grow from a simple Thanksgiving food outreach to an organization that is changing the trajectory of the lives of children and their families in Harlem Heights through education, opportunity and the arts.”
“Our educational programs include after-school, summer camp, and academic tutoring for more than 120 children; scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support; GLAD Kids, a child care and pre-k for more than 80 children birth to five; The Harlem Heights Community Charter School, an elementary charter school that serves 80 children,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Each program is geared to meet the specific needs of children and young adults. The Gulf Harbour community has been very supportive of the Heights Foundation and we appreciate Mrs. Little opening her home for this important fundraiser.”
Sponsors include Mark Loren Designs and Norman Love Confections. Kellie Burns of NBC-2 will emcee the event. Special thanks to Greg & Jo Callaway of Gulf Harbour Properties and Frank R. Jenkins of Frank Jenkins Custom Homes.
Tickets are now on sale for $200 each and space is limited. Upgrades and sponsorships that include an exclusive pre-event VIP party are also available. Purchase tickets at www.heightsfoundation.org/lyn or call Karen Lesza at (239) 482-7706.
About the Heights Foundation
The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through third grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.
