Tickets on sale for Southern Comfort on Sanibel
An upcoming end-of-season fundraiser will benefit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
Southern Comfort on Sanibel will be held on April 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. In its fifth year, it will feature dinner, games with prizes, a live auction, raffles and more.
“It’s a low-key fun event. It’s dinner and music and dancing, and it all goes to help the animals,” Nancy Siegel, event co-chair with Diane Neitzel, said. “It’s not as formal as some of the other fundraisers.”
The Community House Resident Chef Jarred Harris is planning the buffet-style dinner.
“It’s our first time working with the resident chef and we’re really excited,” CROW Development Director Mary Schoeffel said, without giving away details. “Jarred is preparing a wild meal.”
Siegel noted that there will be plenty of things to do, so a buffet serving is a perfect fit.
“We have activities and games,” she said.
The event will feature a wine bottle ring toss, wildlife Wheel of Fortune, Concentration game and more, with a variety of prizes available for the winners. CROW volunteers will be helping out.
“We want people to have a good time and be entertained and get to know us and what we do,” Siegel said.
Some of CROW’s Animal Ambassadors will be on hand for up-close wildlife experiences.
“They’ll meet you as you come in,” Schoeffel said.
The live auction will feature a range of items up for grabs, including a seven-night stay on Sanibel, rounds of golf, dinner with the Wildlife Hospital’s research and medical director, two-hour scenic flight of the barrier islands, guided birding tour, airline tickets, catered gourmet dinner at home and more.
Another is an art pick from options like a framed Charlie McCullough photograph with the book “Sanibel Memories,” Kim Patmore’s Wildlife Image on canvas, Ansel Adams’ “Moon and Half Dome” reprint, “Sea Life” wall hanging by Linda Vizi and Jennifer Callahan’s “Octavia Octopus” giclee.
“We’ve got all kinds of stuff,” Siegel said.
“And all of this goes to feed and care for all of our patients,” Schoeffel added.
There will also be raffle tickets for sale, with more great prizes to win.
Some of the items include an Eastern screech owl box by Native Bird Boxes, bottles of wine, gift certificates for ballroom dancing, nail salon services, a painting party and tennis lessons, and theater and symphony tickets. There are gift cards to Norman Love, Why Knot, Fresh Produce and more.
“The raffle has all kinds of fun things,” Siegel said.
Event tickets are $90 each; if it does not sell out, they may be available at the door.
“We’re more than halfway sold,” Schoeffel said on March 25.
Island residents and visitors are encouraged to order their tickets quickly.
“Everybody is welcome,” Siegel said. “Families are welcome.”
She noted that the fundraiser helps to highlight why the islands are a sanctuary.
“It’s more than a pool, it’s more than a beach,” Siegel said. “It’s mother nature.”
Schoeffel added that CROW’s intake numbers are up 10 percent over last year.
“So the patient count keeps going up,” she said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.crowclinic.org or call 239-472-3644.
Sponsorships for the event are still available. For more information, contact Schoeffel at mschoeffel@crowclinic.org or call 239-472-3644 ext. 232.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way.