Sponsors

Cliff & Georgeanne Williams

Dean & Janie Schreiner

Robert & Ruth Ann Diefenbach

Dave & Cheryl Copham

Vee Yerrid & Buzz Waid

Don & Andie Vogt

Special Thanks:     Vandy Major Photography     Angela Brant      Creative Sound & Lighting       Harold Balink      Jennifer’s Boutique  Gina Birch

Click here to learn more about sponsorships and VIP benefits

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For Information Contact Karen Lesza at (239) 482-7706 or  Email Karen 

Lunch Menu:

Ciabatta Bread Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pesto & Mini Brioche Navette with Butter
Plated Entrée: Stuffed Tuscan Garlic Chicken Breast; Sundried Tomato, Mozzarella
Baby Spinach & Light Fresh Herb Crema
Haricot Verts, Matchstick Carrots
Portabella Raviolis
Dessert Course:  birthday cake

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“Love Your Neighbor”, the 11th annual event benefiting The Heights Foundation, raised more than $300,000 for educational programs for at-risk kids in Harlem Heights. David and Linda Lucas were honored for their years of support of The Heights Foundation. Norman Love Confections and Mark Loren Designs helped create this signature event and have supported it since its inception.

A $100,000 giving challenge was made by Bill and Caroline Bloomhall, long-time supporters of The Heights Foundation. If the audience pledged a minimum of $100,000 in donations during the Fund-a-Need in the live auction, the Bloomhalls would match the amount. Attendees generously met the challenge.

Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center also announced plans to build a three-story educational building on The Heights Center property. Several supporters pledged more than $3 million toward the building. The building will house The Harlem Heights Community Charter School, a K-5 school and GLAD Kids, the organization’s preschool that serves children birth to five.

“Our mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families and education is the key to success,” said Kathryn Kelly. “The monies raised support our educational programs that include our charter school, our early learning center, enriching after school and summer camp programs, academic tutoring, scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support. We are so thankful for the support for our programs and absolutely amazed at the generous pledges we received toward our new educational building.”

Sponsors include Mark Loren Designs, Norman Love Confections, Gary and Sharyn Morgan, Kelly Brothers Marine Construction, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Entech, Mark and Gretchen Banks, Bill and Caroline Bloomhall, Dinah Bloomhall, Dave and Cheryl Copham, Robert and Ruth Ann Diefenbach, Fred and Elaine Hawkins, Rich and Sandy Heinrich, Kathryn Kleist and Kevin Derheimer, Dean and Jane Schreiner, Dennis Lapidus and Ann Marie Shields, Tom and Linda Van Wyk, Vee Yerrid and Buzz Waid and RG Architects. Special thanks to Greg & Jo Callaway of Gulf Harbour Properties, Vandy Major Photography, Angela Brant, Jason’s Deli and Creative Sound & Lighting, Bill Rogers Productions, Harold Balink, Jennifer’s Boutique, Gina Birch, and Brodeur-Carvell Fine Apparel.

Photos By Vandy Major

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.