Patrons of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach continue to support Southwest Florida’s youngest patients simply by ordering a specialty cocktail. The restaurant’s Hospital Drink program, which donates $1 from each sale of select libations, raised $5,874 in 2024 for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
Doc Ford’s four restaurants, including two locations in St. Petersburg, have donated a cumulative $133,000 to the Fort Myers hospital and John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg since the drink program was introduced in 2006. Both hospitals depend on donations to support their mission of providing critical, lifesaving pediatric healthcare and specialized services.
“It’s amazing how $1 per drink really adds up for such a worthwhile cause,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Doc Ford’s. “We’re grateful to our customers who make a point of supporting the Hospital Drink program during each visit and we’re proud of the impact we can make for our community’s children and families.”
Doc Ford’s launched the initiative locally nearly two decades ago as part of community-wide fundraisers across the region for the Golisano Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2017. The program earmarks a dollar from 10 cocktails, including Babe on the Bay, Sanibel Stoop and Hurricane Allie’s Island Punch. Many of the drinks were created by customers and are all designated on the restaurant’s extensive drink menu.
Philanthropy and community outreach have been hallmarks of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille since its founding on Sanibel in 2003. HM Restaurant Group, Doc Ford’s and its employees contribute to a variety of important causes year-round, raising money, awareness and donating their time at local nonprofit organizations dedicated to conservation, community and the environment. They are avid supporters of F.I.S.H. of SANCAP, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel CARES and Captains For Clean Water. Doc Ford’s is also the title sponsor of the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, which has raised nearly $1.3 million for Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since its founding in 2012. The 13th annual tournament will be held May 9, 2025.
“We’re a local company and believe in supporting the community,” said Harrity.
Inspired by the title character of Southwest Florida author Randy Wayne White’s novels, Doc Ford’s is beloved for mouth-watering sauces, spices and fresh seafood featuring Caribbean Rim flavors, including its signature Yucatan shrimp. A local favorite for residents and visitors alike, Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The St. Pete Pier restaurant was named the No. 1 restaurant in the country on the global travel site’s Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats for 2023.
Renowned for delivering a legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit docfords.com for menus and locations.
