More than 600 holiday gifts collected for children in need at CCSWFL learning centers
Child Care of Southwest Florida (CCSWFL) raised $16,835 to provide support to local families in need during its Holiday Gift Celebration and Giving Tuesday Kick-Off held on Dec. 2 at Bruno’s of Brooklyn in Downtown Fort Myers. The funds will help provide holiday relief tuition assistance, toys and clothing to children at CCSWFL’s six early learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties.
During their holiday gift drive, local businesses, organizations and community members helped contribute more than 600 gifts of toys and clothing for children to enjoy on Christmas. The inaugural Giving Tuesday Kick-Off featured heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a silent auction, and a raffle for a precious opal jewel, sponsored by Gulfcoast Coin & Jewelry. At the event, the Knights of Columbus – St. Cecilia Council presented a check for $7,080 raised from its FORE Our Community Golf Tournament on Sept. 28 to support low-income families at CCSWFL’s centers by providing early childhood education scholarships. Additionally, The Community Foundation of Cape Coral awarded a $5,000 grant to CCSWFL to support its holiday fundraiser, bringing the total fundraising impact to over $24,000.
“To those who joined us at our Holiday Gift Celebration and Giving Tuesday Kick-Off, thank you for your time, generosity and unwavering belief in our mission,” said CEO Chris Hansen of Child Care of Southwest Florida. “Your support is a beacon of hope for the children and families we serve across Southwest Florida. Together, we can create brighter futures this holiday season and beyond.”
Partners of the holiday gift drive and fundraising event included Bruno’s of Brooklyn as the Presenting Sponsor; Knights of Columbus – St. Cecilia Council as the Champion Sponsor; Southview Studios as the Hero Sponsor; Franzese Plumbing and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as Advocate Sponsors; Knights of Columbus – St. Francis Xavier Council, LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative, Real Res and Signs By Tomorrow Fort Myers as the Supporter Sponsors; Gulfcoast Coin & Jewelry as the Sparkle of Joy Gem Sponsor; and Allied Physical Therapy, Board & Brush Fort Myers, Bruno’s of Brooklyn, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Shell Point Retirement Community as Holiday Gift Drive Partners.
