The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center hosted a live virtual event on Tuesday, March 24.  The 12^th Annual Love Your Neighbor event was pivoted due to coronavirus concerns.  The event raised more than $230,000 to support the organization that works to build strong, self-sufficient families in The Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers. The online auction began Friday, March 20 at noon and culminated with a live broadcast from The Heights Center on Tuesday evening.  Local media personality Gina Birch emceed the evening.  Scott Robertson of Scott Robertson Auctioneers was the auctioneer.

Viewers were able to watch the broadcast live on YouTube while donating and bidding on their phones.  The event featured a pre-recorded music video with the kids from The Heights Center, a performance by local musicians Lori and Randy Thomas, a fund a need, and a silent and live auction.

Top auction items included a wine and culinary cruise for ten aboard the 101’ M/Y Tò-Kalòn, a luxury trip to Chicago to see Elton John, a Maine Adventure with wardrobe provided by Brodeur Carvell and Jennifer’s, a trip to New York for four with dining and entertainment, and several in-home and on location dinners with celebrated local chefs.

“Our Love Your Neighbor event is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Kathryn Kelly, founder, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center.  “The families in Harlem Heights are extremely vulnerable, particularly now.   This event took on an added urgency for us as we need to provide support to our families so they can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table while kids are out of school and parents are out of work.  We were amazed by the outpouring of support by our friends and donors.”

“This was the one of the first virtual live events held east of the Mississippi River,” said Robertson.  “The Heights Foundation acted quickly to modify the in-person event, and put together a great team.  We had tremendous participation, competitive bidding and success.  Viewers had fun watching in the comfort of their own homes, they were able to comment on the broadcast in a YouTube chat, bid on great auction items, and support an organization that helps families living in poverty.”

Event sponsors included Mark Loren Designs, Norman Love Confections, Cliff and Georganne Williams, Lee Health, entech, RG Architects, Dean and Janie Schreiner, Robert and Ruth Ann Diefenbach, and Don and Andie Vogt.

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

View The Live Broadcast on YouTube (live portion begins at 27 minutes)

“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