The Heights Foundation’s ninth annual benefit golf tournament, “Swing Fore the Kids,” raised $41,800 to support programs at The Heights Center. These initiatives work to empower families and foster self-sufficiency within the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers. Held at The Plantation Golf and Country Club, the event attracted enthusiastic participation and generous support.
“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “This tournament enables us to fund impactful programs at The Heights Center, including School Success and our enriching Summer Camp. We are incredibly grateful for our sponsors, players, committee members, and volunteers.”
The first-place team was Mike Curran, Armando Llechu and Bryan Filson. The second place team was AXIS Contracting: Russ Hurst, Scott Cray, Jonathan Hurst and Jay Wade. The third place team was Acentria Insurance: Colin Marshall, Jonathan Brooke, Cayden Brilley and Tom Knisley. Ryan Atwood hit the longest drive, and Russ Hurst was closest to the pin.
The trophy sponsor was Commercial Concrete Systems. Ace Sponsors were Owen-Ames-Kimball, Quality Carpet and Flooring and RG Architects. The Golf Cart Sponsor was LMCU. Birdie Sponsors were Acentria Insurance, The Arias Law Firm, B&I Contractors, Bank of the Islands, Jim and Cindy Dwyer, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Florida Gulf Coast University, Four Sanibel Rotarians, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Green, Schoenfeld & Kyle, Chuck and Helen Ketteman, Matern Professional Engineering, and OneDigital.
The tournament chairs were Jay Wade and Bryan Filson. The committee included Jim Dwyer, Meghan Madden, Terri Wade and Alesha Watchowski.
For more information about The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706 or email [email protected]
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 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% 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.
