The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center hosted its 17th annual Love Your Neighbor fundraiser on February 2, successfully raising $1 million to support its mission of empowering families in the Harlem Heights community of Fort Myers. The event took place at The Heights Center.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and supporters who are committed to funding the meaningful work we do,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President, and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “The Harlem Heights neighborhood has a history rooted in agriculture, and as farmland was replaced by residential developments, many families lost their primary source of income, leading to economic hardship. Since 2000, our mission has been to help build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood – through Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. We come alongside Heights families, meeting them where they are, offering hope, and providing support during tough times, so that an emergency doesn’t escalate into a crisis.”
Kelly added, “We believe that access to a decent education enables at-risk youth to defy expectations and rewrite the narrative often placed upon them. Through our dynamic preschool, afterschool, and summer camp programs, we create safe, engaging environments where children can learn and thrive while their parents work. Additionally, our adult and family programs are designed to foster pathways to self-sufficiency.”
Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Black Salt Culinary and an auction preview by Kellie Burns of NBC-2 and Scott Robertson of Champion Fundraising Auctions on the Heights Education Building’s rooftop terrace. Guests then proceeded to The Heights Center auditorium and were greeted by The Heights Foundation’s Board Chair, Armando Llechu.
Chef Harold Balink of Harold’s prepared a five-course dinner featuring a basil cream tart, pickled cucumber and relish amuse, acorn squash bisque with crab, local jumbo prawns with 12 Seasons Farm tomato, caper and orzo sauce, grilled buffalo tenderloin, confit potato and blackberry compote. Dessert was a white chocolate mousse heart with fresh raspberries created by Norman Love Confections. Wines were expertly paired by Sunny 106 radio personality and oenophile, Gina Birch.
Children from The Heights Center’s education programs entertained the guests with two songs.
Scott Robertson of Champion Fundraising Auctions conducted the fund-a-need ask and live auction to support the organization’s educational programs. Donors met a $100,000 donation challenge match by Gaye and Jim Pigott, raising $619,000.
Top auction items included a one-of-a-kind necklace featuring a 9.00ct bright orange Sphalerite from Spain accented with a Brazilian Rubellite teardrop and Diamond clip bale created and donated by Mark Loren Designs, a wine and culinary cruise for six aboard the 101′ M/Y TÒ-KALÒN, the ultimate in home raw bar for sixteen by Matt Asen of The Timbers, The Eagles at The Sphere, Spain for Eight with Chef Gloria Jordan, and a trip to Sonoma for six. In addition, a sign-up dinner at Harold’s with Harold Balink and Gina Birch raised $18,750.
Guests enjoyed live music by Randy and Lori Thomas.
Event sponsors include Gaye & Jim Pigott, Geralyn & Tom Donovan, Everhart Advisors, Kelly Brothers, Inc., Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, RG Architects, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, SKANSKA, Dede D’Arcy and Chris Schluter.
Event supporters include Chef Harold Balink of Harold’s Restaurant, Gloria Jordan of Jordan’s Wine Bar & Cellar, Matt Asen of The Timbers, Chef Melissa Donahue of Sweet Melissa’s Café, Chef Benjamin Voisin of Black Salt Culinary, Mark Loren of Mark Loren Designs, Mila Bridger Photography, Norman Love Confections, Gina Birch of Sunny 106.3, Creative Sound and Lighting, Elly Hagen Marketing & PR, Randy and Lori Thomas, Mix Marketing/Jeannie Cummings, Kellie Burns of NBC-2, Scott Robertson of Champion Fundraising Auctions, R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Floral Artistry, Violette Productions/Photography, Decanter at Healdsburg, Mauritson Wines, Dustin Valette/Valette Healdsburg, Rogers Media Group, Cheryl and Dave Copham, Bill and Caroline Bloomhall, events committee, event volunteers, The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center staff, and The Heights Foundation Board of Directors.
For more information about The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call (239) 482-7706. To donate, visit www.heightsfoundation.org/donate.
About the Heights Foundation and 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 79% Hispanic, 15% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 50% 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.
