The seventh annual benefit golf tournament, “Tee It Up FORE The Kids,” took place at The Club at Shell Point on April 24 and raised $45,000 for The Heights Center Early Learning (formerly GLAD Kids).
A part of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center family, Heights Early Learning’s mission is to ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare. 85 children birth to age four read, learn and play in a safe environment while their parents work to provide for their families.
The event was sponsored by The Masiello Family Foundation, The Healing Heart Giving Fund, and entech.
“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Pat Ostrom, tournament director. “This tournament 
helps ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare.”
Men’s team flight winners were Jim Dwyer, John Dwyer, Chris Dwyer and Jim Welch. Ladies team flight winners were Doris Hill, Sandy Jacquay, Marilyn Grubisich and Constance Fennessey. Coed team flight winners were Jan-Erik Hustrulid, David Vazquez, Megan Clipse and Ryan Richards. Closest to the pin winners were Jason Gunias, Louise Donadio, Nick Mazzola, Sophia Phelps, John Dunaham and Megan Clipse. Closest to the line winners were Brad Prokop and Gerry Brasch.
For more information about The Heights Center, The Heights Foundation and Heights Early Learning, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call (239) 482-7706.
About The Heights Foundation, The Heights Center, and The Heights Early Learning
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. Heights Early Learning serves 85 babies through age 4. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 120 children from kindergarten through 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 cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.
