Business Notes
PFEIFER REALTY TO HOST OPEN HOUSE PARADE
The Pfeifer Realty Group will host its fourth Sanibel Island Open House Parade on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing 19 properties that its agents currently have listed for sale.
The addresses include: 1730 Jewel Box Drive; 1250 Tennisplace Court, Unit D31 (Tennisplace); 720 Elinor Way; 640 Periwinkle Way; 1062 S. Yachtsman Drive; 1605 Middle Gulf Drive, Unit 125 (Gulfside Place); 5657 Baltusrol Court, Unit 2B (Sanctuary Heron); 6010 White Heron Lane; 4775 Rue Helene; 727 Periwinkle Way; 1672 Hibiscus Drive; 971 Main St.; 3311 Twin Lakes Lane; 486 Lake Murex Circle; 560 Boulder Drive; 588 Boulder Court; 672 Durion Court; 736 Durion Court; and 673 East Rocks Drive.
Maps that list each participating home and where they are located will be available at each house.
For more information, call the office at 239-472-0004.
CFI, TRUST COMPANY PRESENT DAF PROGRAM
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) and The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company hosted a Community Conversation, “A Smart Way to Give Back: Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Foundation of the Islands,” on Feb. 11 at the trust company’s office on Sanibel.
The program was held in honor of the city’s 50th anniversary and celebrate the island’s history of philanthropy. CFI is also celebrating a milestone this year as its parent organization, the Good Neighbor Fund, was formalized in 2000 by islanders led by Francis Bailey.
Attendees engaged in discussions on giving strategies, nonprofit sustainability and the evolving role of charitable foundations. The program highlighted charitable giving accounts and, specifically, donor-advised funds (DAFs).
Trust company Sanibel President Jeff Muddell led the discussion, emphasizing how DAFs help donors maximize their impact while maintaining giving flexibility and oftentimes avoid capital gains during triggering events, such as a sale of a home, business or appreciated stock.
CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell announced that the minimum to open a DAF with the foundation will be lowered to $10,000 this year in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Good Neighbor Fund. Previously, the minimum was $25,000.
In addition, CFI introduced a new community impact fund, the Community Impact Council, which operates similar to a DAF and allows individuals to pool their donations and collectively award grants twice a year.
For more information, visit www.MyCFI.org or contact Farrell at 239-703-3226.
CHR WELCOMES NEW STAFFER
Community Housing & Resources (CHR) on Sanibel announced the addition of Anna Johnson to its team as administrative assistant.
An island native, she attended The Sanibel School. After graduating in 2017 from Reinhardt University in Georgia, Johnson moved back to island for brief time before relocating to San Carlos Park.
She spent the last few years employed as an elementary educator and a property manager.
HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK KICKS OFF SERIES
Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and Tim Youngquist hosted the first-ever “A Conversation about Feeding the Future” on Feb. 19 at their home in Fort Myers.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the growing hunger crisis in Southwest Florida and the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s plans to address food insecurity across the region.
Nearly 40 community and philanthropic leaders had the opportunity to learn about the food bank’s mission to end hunger in Southwest Florida.
President and Chief Executive Officer Richard LeBer explained that although the region is an affluent area, thousands of neighbors are experiencing hunger. Those needing services include working families with children, veterans, seniors, public service workers, health care professionals, educators and others.
Attendees also enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by G3 Catering, with musical entertainment provided by Marc Collins.
“A Conversation about Feeding the Future” is a new series of informal gatherings to educate the community about the food bank’s mission and role in addressing food insecurity in Southwest Florida.
Stilwell Youngquist, with Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, owns multiple businesses on Captiva.
DOC FORD’S PROMOTES VIDAL
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille announced the promotion of Cesar Vidal to kitchen manager at its Fort Myers Beach location.
In the role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the kitchen operations.
Vidal has worked for the company for eight years.