SCBWA held its annual scholarship fundraiser on Friday, September 22nd at Cielo Restaurant, where over $16,000 was raised for scholarship and continuing education opportunities.

SCBWA thanks its event sponsors, Beachwalker Marketing & Communications, MHK Architecture, Custom Goods Unlimited, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.

SCBWA would also like to thank those who donated items to the silent auction and swag bags to the event sponsors, including Island Therapy Center, Bubbly Latitude, Rachel Pierce Art Gallery, Art Ranger Toni, Congress Jewelers, Cielo, Doc Ford’s, and Tween Waters.

The evening began with appetizers and music from Cielo Pianist, Scott McDonald. Taylor Osborne gave opening remarks and continued with Rachel Pierce as the Emcee for the evening while Cielo served an amazing three-course meal. Over the course of the evening, over $16,000 was raised to help women of the islands with continuing education opportunities.

A special thank you goes to Colleen Zurcher-McGauran, who underwrote the event and made it possible for all ticket sales, event sponsorships and auction donation funds to go directly to the scholarship fund.

SCBWA is still accepting donations to the Scholarship Fund. Those interested in donating directly to the Scholarship Fund can do so via Square.

Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association is dedicated to empowering and supporting the women who work and live on the islands through networking, mentorship, continuing education and career advancement.

SCBWA aims to serve the community by offering an inclusive, supportive and diverse group of women supporting women. Our focus is the advancement of women’s career development targeted to workers, aspiring workers and the residents of Sanibel and Captiva. The group meets every third Tuesday of the month at various businesses and restaurants at noon.

Updates on upcoming events can be found on Eventbrite and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SanCapBWA.