The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center hosted its annual Christmas Outreach event on December 21, bringing joy and holiday cheer to 1,085 children in the Harlem Heights community. The event provided gifts for children ranging from infants to 17 years old, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organizations, and volunteers. Parents selected gifts for their children, ensuring the magic of Christmas remained a surprise. Children also enjoyed festive activities, including a visit with Santa Claus, crafts, and the classic holiday treat of milk and cookies.
“The holiday season is a particularly difficult time for many families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “The poverty rate for children in our community is more than twice the county average. This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our neighbors and partners who came together to brighten the holidays for these families.”
The event was made possible with the help of 92 volunteers and the support of local businesses and organizations, including:
- Avalon Bay
- CLA Advisors
- Crestwell School
- Crown Colony
- Cypress Cove at Health Park
- Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands
- Fort Myers Beach Baptist
- Golfview Golf & Racquet Club
- Grace, Herbert, Curtis Architects
- Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club
- Hurricane Tina’s
- Jason’s Deli
- Jennifer’s Boutique
- Laguna Lakes Community
- Mastique Condo Community
- Offshore Sailing School
- One Digital
- Point Ybel Brewing
- Publix on Gladiolus Drive
- Re/Max Realty Group
- Royal Shell Real Estate
- Sanibel-Captiva Power & Sail Squadron
- Scotlynn Group
- Shell Point
- Shoreline Lumbar
- Summer’s Project
- Sychotic Elements Motorcycle Club-Naples
- The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company
- Westminster Presbyterian
- Women’s Realty Association of Cape Coral
- Workscapes
- Zion Lutheran
The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers. For more information visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call (239) 482-7706.
About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.
The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 170 children in AfterSchool and 153 children in SummerCamp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 210 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.
