The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center celebrated the spirit of giving on December 20 during our annual Christmas Outreach event, delivering joy and holiday magic to 972 children in the Harlem Heights community. With support from generous businesses, organizations, and volunteers, families received gifts for children from infancy through age 17.

Parents were able to personally select gifts for their children, ensuring a meaningful and surprise-filled Christmas morning. Children enjoyed festive activities throughout the day, including crafts, milk and cookies, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

The holiday season is particularly challenging for many families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The poverty rate for children in our community is more than twice the county average. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our neighbors and partners, who came together to brighten the holidays for these families.

Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands served as the event sponsor and collected toys to support the effort.

This year’s Christmas Outreach was made possible through the dedication of 83 volunteers and the generosity of local businesses and organizations, including:

• Avalon Bay
• CLA advisors (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP)
• Crestwell School
• Crown Colony
• Cypress Cove at Health Park
• Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands
• Golfview Golf and Raquet Club
• Hurricane Tina’s
• Jason’s Deli
• Jennifer’s Boutique
• Lexington Country Club
• MarineMax of Fort Myers
• Mastique Condominiums
• Point Ybel Brewing
• Publix-Gladiolus Drive
• ReMax Realty Group
• Rotary Club of Fort Myers South
• Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva
• SanCap Power Squadron
• Sanibel Bible Church
• Scookie Dough
• Scotlynn Group
• Shell Point
• Shoreline Lumbar
• Spada Salon and Day Spa
• Spivey Law Firm
• Target
• Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Women With Spirit
• Zion Lutheran Church

Thank You for Making the Season Bright

As we reflect on this special day, our hearts are full of gratitude. To every volunteer who gave their time, every business and organization that donated, and every neighbor who supported this effort—thank you. Your generosity ensured that 972 children in the Harlem Heights community experienced the joy, dignity, and magic of Christmas.

Because of you, families felt supported, children felt celebrated, and hope shined brightly during a season that can be especially challenging for so many.

This event was a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together with compassion and purpose.

From all of us at The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us build strong, self-sufficient families—during the holidays and throughout the year.

Wine lovers from across Southwest Florida gathered on the rooftop terrace of The Heights Center for An Evening at the Heights Foundation with Benovia Winery on Thursday, December 4. The intimate event was hosted by Benovia Winery owners Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane, who welcomed guests to enjoy world-class wines in a distinctive Southwest Florida setting.

The night featured a guided tasting of Benovia’s highly regarded Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Zinfandel and a special 20th anniversary wine, paired with light bites by Crave Culinaire and sweeping views of the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The experience reflected the warmth and hospitality for which the independent Sonoma winery is known.

In a highlight of the evening, Anderson and Dewane donated an extraordinary wine country getaway for three couples — a six-day, five-night stay overlooking the Cohn Estate Vineyard in Healdsburg, California, including a VIP lunch and tasting with Benovia’s winemaker and dinners at two of Sonoma County’s most acclaimed restaurants. Auctioneer Scott Robertson led spirited bidding that delivered an impressive result, raising nearly $50,000 to support the mission of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center: building strong, self-sufficient families in Harlem Heights.

“Joe and Mary brought the heart of Benovia to our rooftop,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity they share — not only through exceptional wines, but through their commitment to making a difference for families right here in our community.”

For more information about The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call (239) 482-7706.

About Benovia Winery

Benovia Winery is a family-owned, independent producer in Sonoma County, known for its exceptional estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as distinctive Zinfandel. Crafted with meticulous care and a deep respect for the land, Benovia wines embody a philosophy of place, people, and purpose. Owners Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane bring a passion for hospitality and community to every bottle they share.

About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center

Harlem Heights is a low-income community in south Fort Myers, Florida. The Heights Foundation’s mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, promotes education and wellness, nurtures family and community development, and provides the benefits of enrichment and the arts.

Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 150 children in AfterSchool and over 150 kids in Summer Camp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 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. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.

What a night! The Heights Party Band lit up the stage as we celebrated The 50th Anniversary of Randy’s 21st Birthday — and you helped make it unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who came out, danced, laughed, and filled the room with amazing energy. ❤️

⭐ Featuring Our Incredible Musicians

We’re grateful for the talented group who brought the music to life:

Randy & Lori Thomas

Rob Robinson

Kevin Kenworthy

Matthew Chapman

Steve Latanation

Their blend of classic rock, country, and crowd-favorite throwbacks kept the party going all night long!

🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

A heartfelt thank-you to Mercer Investment Properties for generously sponsoring the evening and supporting community events that bring neighbors together.

💛 And Thank YOU

Your presence, your cheers, and your support of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center make all the difference. We’re honored to share nights like these with our friends and community.

Make the season brighter! Purchase a Scookie Dough charity dozen and help The Heights Center provide Christmas gifts to families in need. $10 from every dozen goes directly to the Christmas Outreach Program.

The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center hosted its annual Back-to-School Outreach on Saturday, July 26, providing more than 500 students from the Harlem Heights neighborhood with backpacks and essential school supplies to kick off the new academic year fully prepared.

Dozens of volunteers, donors, and community partners came together at The Heights Center for a morning of generosity and community spirit. Students received backpacks and age-appropriate supplies, including binders, crayons, calculators, headphones, paper, folders, and more—tools that will set them up for success in the classroom.

“Our goal is to eliminate barriers that prevent children from reaching their full potential,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President, and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we were able to give students a strong start to the school year and show families in Harlem Heights that they are not alone.”

The outreach was made possible through donations from individuals, churches, civic groups, and local businesses, many of whom organized supply drives or sponsored key items. Financial donations helped offset the cost of more than $7,000 in backpacks and over $25,000 in supplies.

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Melissa Barlow, Director of Arts and Community Programs at The Heights Center. “Each donation—whether a single notebook or hundreds of folders—played a role in this collective impact. Our volunteers also made the day run smoothly, creating a fun and welcoming environment for families.”

The Heights Foundation’s mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families in Harlem Heights through education, opportunity, and community support. The annual school supply outreach is one of many programs designed to support students and families throughout the year.

Those who missed the opportunity to donate or volunteer can still support education efforts in the community by visiting www.heightsfoundation.org.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our 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 more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 153 children in AfterSchool and 160 children in SummerCamp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 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 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.

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