Blues by the Bay, an evening of live music, excellent food and drinks, raised $70,000 to support The Heights Foundation’s education programs. The event was held November 19 at the riverfront home of Dean and Lori Munro, in the St. Charles Harbour community. The exclusive VIP pre-party was held at the home of Tim and Sandy Youngquist, with entertainment by The VanKirk brothers of Strange Arrangement.
Guests enjoyed samplings from the area’s finest restaurants, fine wines, a signature Blue Bay Martini, champagne and live music by The Wayward Souls, rockin’ blues band. Participating restaurants included The House of Pasta, The Jac Island Restaurant, Keylime Bistro, LYNQ, MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, St. Charles Yacht Club, Sunshine Seafood Cafe and The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market.
Live and silent auction proceeds benefit School Success programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights neighborhood in Fort Myers.
Event sponsors include Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., entech, Acentria Insurance (Jason and Sherri Huff), Rich and Sandy Heinrich, Sammy Lucas and Greg St. Clair, and JP Morgan Limousine.
“Our School Success programs include our charter school, academic tutoring, after school and summer camp programs, scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Each program is geared to meet the specific needs of children and young adults who seek to further their education.”
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 fourth grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade.
Photos By Angelina Hobbs
