Upcoming island fundraisers to focus on choice of interests
Over the coming week, the community has the opportunity to support two causes — a new surgery center at the children’s hospital, and local nonprofits that work to empower women and girls.
SanCap Cares will hold its 24th Annual Island Celebration on March 14 at The Community House on Sanibel. The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva will host its A Peek at the Unique on March 16 at TCH.
ISLAND CELEBRATION
With the theme “Tropical Nights,” this year’s event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and include culinary tastings and a signature cocktail to accompany the “Give to Give” auction of items. The festivities will culminate with a five-star dinner and entertainment provided by The Bay Kings Band.
The proceeds will benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
“We are so excited to be back together as a community in the wake of Ian, helping to bring world-class health care here to our children,” SanCap Cares Committee member Valerie Tutor said. “We invite the entire island community to find their own way to support these critical services at Golisano Children’s Hospital.”
This year, the hospital is asking for support to build the Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center adjacent to the main campus. The addition will benefit patients, families and surgeons. It aims to provide a calming environment for standard procedures, like tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies and ear tube placements, freeing up resources for pediatric neurosurgery, trauma cases, fractures and more.
Since 2001, the islands through SanCap Cares have raised over $18 million to support the hospital.
“The generosity of the residents and businesses of Sanibel and Captiva Islands has been instrumental in providing critically needed support for Golisano,” Lee Health Foundation Director of Development Justin Brand said. “Through the years, the support from SanCap Cares has strengthened and continues to provide needed resources for our tiniest patients.”
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor for the event.
Sponsor levels start at $1,500 for two seats.
For more information and sponsorships, visit sancapcares.org.
People can also contact Tutor at 239-834-8141 and Brand at 239-343-6067.
A PEEK AT THE UNIQUE
After a hiatus due to COVID and Hurricane Ian, the beloved home tour and signature event of the Zonta Club returns. Peek will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, with buses departing from TCH every half-hour. The buses will travel on a relaxed schedule to accommodate participants who wish to linger.
Three island homes and one spectacular beach-front garden will showcase Sanibel’s resilience.
“I am very excited about our club’s plans to bring back A Peek at the Unique,” President Nori Ann Reed said. “This is not the Peek of old — it is more of a petite Peek, respectful of businesses and residents on the island and the difficult months we have had.”
The tour will stop first on the secluded west end. In a neighborhood with documented Calusa presence are two houses, one dating back over 40 years which the owners began a major renovation in 2021. Their work, interrupted by the storm, delivers on a vision of a mix of beach-y neutrals and mid-Century touches. The second home is in the style of an English manor, complete with a pub room, and curated with artistic touches and collectibles from the homeowner’s career in the military and public service.
The third is a brand-new Gulf-front house, designed by architect Joyce Owens to resist threatening elements, including inundation. The structure can withstand a major storm surge as it allows water to flow unimpeded through the ground level. The tour will end with the magical beach garden, wrecked during Ian but redesigned by R.S. Walsh with natural materials, found objects and native plantings.
The Zonta Club is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy and funds to empower women and girls on the islands, in Lee County and around the world through Zonta International. Over two decades, Peek has raised more than $1 million to help local nonprofits empower women and girls.
Tickets are $65 per person.
For more information or tickets, visit https://Zonta-peek-at-unique-2024.eventbrite.com.
Online ticket sales will end on March 14 at 6 p.m.
If tickets are still available, they can be purchased at TCH on the morning of March 16.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
…..
IF YOU GO
What
24th Annual Island Celebration
When
March 14 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Sponsor levels start at $1,500 for two seats
IF YOU GO
What
A Peek at the Unique
When
March 16 from 9 a.m. to noon
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $65 per person