Business Notes
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa kicks off Little Pink Dress Nights
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa announced the kick-off of a new networking and social event series dubbed “Little Pink Dress Night,” with the inaugural Little Pink Dress Night slated for Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 5-8 p.m. in Sundial’s Captain’s Catch Bar.
Coinciding with October’s International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Little Pink Dress Night attendees are encouraged to wear festive pink in support of breast cancer awareness and join other women to raise money for SanCap Pink Project. SanCap Pink Project provides mammograms for uninsured woman and assists local families with cancer related expenses.
“Little Pink Dress nights will bring women together to network and celebrate the power of our local female entrepreneurs, artists, fighters and dreamers,” said Sundial Beach Resort & Spa General Manager Becky Miller. “While each evening will be centered around don’t-miss fun and creativity, they’ll be a unique opportunity to tap our collective energy, learn something new, support one another and make a difference in our community – all while having a great time.”
Miller added that she’s constantly amazed by the strength of the women of the Sanibel-Captiva community and that Little Pink Dress Nights grew out of that connectedness and Sundial’s commitment to help support the best of the area.
Local artist Rachel Pierce of Rachel Pierce Gallery will be on hand throughout the night of Oct. 7 and guests can watch as she creates a gorgeous, themed painting. Pierce’s work of art will be auctioned off at the end of the evening with a percentage of the proceeds benefitting SanCap Pink Project.
Sundial’s monthly Little Pink Dress events will feature live music, specialty drinks tied in with that month’s theme and fun small plate offerings. In addition to a specialty cocktail and appetizers, Sundial’s complete Captains Catch bar and restaurant menus will also be available.
After the inaugural October Little Pink Dress event, the series will continue on the first Wednesday of every month, with a different theme, experiences and cocktail making every Little Pink Dress Night extra special. Each event will highlight interesting local partners and invite guests to connect with them and each other in a meaningful way, such as a floral artist-led flower arranging workshop with make-and-take bouquets. Regardless of the fun and the theme Sundial’s event team plans each month, each Little Pink Dress Night will support SanCap Pink Project.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank joins KINDLee’s 10,000 Acts of Kindness Challenge
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is encouraging employees, customers and community members to help spread kindness throughout Southwest Florida by participating in the KINDLee 10,000 Acts of Kindness Challenge.
Created by Southwest Florida nonprofit organization KINDLee, the community-wide initiative encourages individuals to perform simple acts of kindness, share them with others and inspire a ripple effect throughout the community. Examples include helping a neighbor, encouraging a coworker, picking up litter, volunteering or simply going the extra mile to brighten someone’s day.
As part of the challenge, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank employees will track acts of kindness they complete or witness and share stories and photos that highlight the positive impact of those efforts. The bank also encourages customers and community members to participate by sharing their own acts of kindness on social media using #KindLee10K and tagging @KindLeeSWFL or by submitting it directly to KINDLee at kelly@fayerlaw.net.
The challenge reflects the bank’s longstanding commitment to supporting community involvement. Through charitable giving, volunteerism and financial education programs, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has worked to strengthen Southwest Florida for more than two decades. Since its founding in 2003, the bank has contributed more than $5 million to more than 400 local charitable causes and employees volunteer more than 1,000 hours annually throughout the community.
KINDLee is a Southwest Florida nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring kindness, strengthening communities and supporting children facing challenges. Through community service projects, educational initiatives, and the acts-of-kindness campaign, KINDLee encourages people of all ages to make a positive impact through everyday acts of kindness.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has nine locations open throughout Lee County.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank welcomes Isabella Chirino
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Isabella Chirino as residential loan officer.
Chirino is based out of the bank’s Bridge Branch, located at 9311 College Parkway in Fort Myers. She will work with homebuyers throughout Southwest Florida, guiding customers through the mortgage process and helping them find lending solutions that support their homeownership goals.
Chirino brings more than five years of consultative sales and relationship management experience to the role. Prior to joining the bank, she served as district manager at ADP, where she ranked among the company’s top performers, consistently exceeding sales goals and building a network of referral partners. Her background also includes sales positions with UniFirst Corporation and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Chirino earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Ave Maria University.
Bank of the Islands donates to Community Church
Bank of the Islands recently made its latest non-profit donation through its We Love Our Islands program. Bank customer Chris Solomonides was the latest lucky winner. He chose the Sanibel Community Church, where he serves as Family Pastor, to receive the Bank’s $800 donation.
This donation marks $164,600 given away to date through Bank of the Islands’ We Love Our Islands program. It also represents the Bank’s ongoing commitment to doubling its weekly outlay for the program.
“The Church is a mid-island neighbor of our Sanibel office,” said Bank of the Islands Teller Operations Supervisor Heather Harrison. “We are so pleased they are once again a We Love Our Islands beneficiary. Making this donation is a great way to show how much we appreciate being your island bank.”
All islanders are invited to visit the bank’s Sanibel or Captiva offices to pick up a vehicle decal and learn more about the We Love Our Islands program and how you and your favorite charity can become our next lucky winners.
The Sanibel office of Bank of the Islands is located at 1699 Periwinkle Way, and Captiva office is at 14812 Captiva Drive.
Realtors host membership breakfast caravan
The Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of Realtors hosted its Member Breakfast Caravan on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Association’s Office.
The morning gathering featured a special presentation by guest speakers Marcia McHugh Turner, Tom Uhler, Tony Lapi, and Laura DeBruce from United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades County. The speakers highlighted the volunteer-driven organization’s dedication to improving community quality of life through fundraising, fund distribution, community building, volunteer advancement, and referral services.
The successful networking event was generously sponsored by Bank of The Islands and Robb & Stucky.
Sanibel & Captiva Realtors host Thirsty Thursday Social Mixer
On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of Realtors gathered members for a Thirsty Thursday networking social from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cheeburger-Cheeburger, located at 1975 Periwinkle Way.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of local connection and camaraderie, made possible through the generous sponsorship of Superior Title.
Lee Health establishes Dr. Larry Antonucci Scholarship
The Lee Health Foundation Board of Trustees in partnership with the Lee Health Board of Directors is proud to announce the creation of the Dr. Larry Antonucci Scholarship Endowment Fund, establishing a permanent legacy honoring the visionary leadership, service, and lasting impact of Dr. Larry Antonucci, who is retiring after more than four decades of advancing healthcare in Southwest Florida.
Established with a $250,000 founding gift from the Lee Health Foundation Board of Trustees, the endowed fund will create ongoing opportunities for Lee Health team members to pursue education, leadership development, professional certifications, and career advancement.
The Board invites community members, physicians, grateful patients, business leaders, employees, and friends of Lee Health to honor Dr. Antonucci’s legacy through contributions that will support future generations of healthcare professionals.
“For decades, Dr. Larry Antonucci has dedicated his career to serving patients, supporting caregivers, and strengthening healthcare throughout our region,” said Dominic Cameratta, chair of the Lee Health Foundation Board of Trustees. “One of the defining characteristics of his leadership has been his unwavering belief that when organizations invest in people, exceptional care follows. This fund ensures that commitment will continue to benefit Lee Health employees and ultimately the patients and families they serve for generations to come.”
Before joining Lee Health’s executive leadership team, Dr. Antonucci spent 24 years as a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist in Fort Myers. He joined Lee Health in 2007 and served in a variety of leadership roles before being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2017. Throughout his tenure, he championed a culture of excellence, innovation, employee engagement, patient-centered care, and continuous learning.
Gifts to the fund offer a meaningful way to honor Dr. Antonucci’s enduring impact while investing in the people who will carry Lee Health’s mission forward for generations to come.
To make a gift in honor of Dr. Antonucci, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/Donate and select the Dr. Larry Antonucci Scholarship Endowment Fund from the drop-down menu.
Doc Ford’s employees decorate Lakes Park’s annual Halloween Express route
Team members from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach are once again helping transform Lakes Park from delightful to frightful for Halloween.
Doc Ford’s employees volunteered on three separate occasions in late September to install decorations along the park’s mile long train track in preparation for the annual Halloween Express and Fall Festival. The labor-intensive decorating process begins weeks ahead of the popular seasonal event and is an annual volunteer tradition for the Fort Myers Beach restaurant.
“Our team always looks forward to helping Lakes Park get ready for Halloween,” said Rebecca Vizcarra, general manager of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach. “It’s become a tradition for us, and it’s rewarding to see everything come together knowing how many families will enjoy it throughout October.”
Offered Oct. 9-31, the Halloween Express operates weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. and weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lakes Park is at 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers.
Harry Chapin Food Bank unveils refreshed brand as organization enters new chapter
Harry Chapin Food Bank unveiled a refreshed brand identity that reflects how the organization has grown and evolved while looking ahead to the future of hunger relief in Southwest Florida.
The refreshed brand reintroduces the familiar tagline – “fighting hunger. feeding hope.” – reinforcing Harry Chapin Food Bank’s mission: To lead our community in the fight to end hunger.
The organization will retain the Harry Chapin Food Bank name, which carries strong recognition throughout Southwest Florida and honors Harry Chapin’s legacy as an advocate in the fight against hunger. The updated identity moves beyond the guitar featured in the previous logo, introducing a more modern visual identity and updated color palette.
“This new look reflects how much Harry Chapin Food Bank has grown and where we are headed,” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “We are entering an exciting new chapter for our organization, one that will strengthen our ability to serve Southwest Florida for generations to come. Our refreshed brand represents that future while staying grounded in the mission and legacy that have guided us for more than four decades.”
The brand launch comes during a significant period of growth for Harry Chapin Food Bank. The organization serves more than 300,000 neighbors each month across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties through its programs and Feeding Network of more than 175 agency partners.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is preparing to open its new 110,175-square-foot Hunger Action Center in Fort Myers. The facility will more than double operational capacity and strengthen the food bank’s ability to respond to growing needs, support its Feeding Network and prepare for future emergencies.
The food bank is also preparing to begin construction in 2027 on a new facility in Naples that will expand its ability to serve neighbors and support agency partners in the southern portion of its five-county service area. The Naples facility is expected to open in 2028.