Snippets of Success

Estero Country Club at The Vines breaks ground on Golf Course Restoration

On March 19, 2018, the Estero Country Club at The Vines held a gold shovel groundbreaking ceremony including Estero Village Council Member Jon McLain, Mayor Jim Boesch, Estero Chamber of Commerce Chairman Gene Montenieri, Estero Country Club Board President Tom Spaeth and several other board members. The guest of honor was golf course designer himself, Gordon Lewis. 

Renovations include enhancements to the clubhouse and landscaping, as well as a complete restoration of the golf course, which was impacted by Hurricane Irma. The revamped course is expected to reopen by Nov. 1.

Golisano Foundation Grant Expands ‘Best Buddies’ Program in SWFL

  Best Buddies International, a nonprofit with a mission to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce a grant from the Golisano Foundation of $300,000 to expand its work in Southwest Florida.

  With this grant, Best Buddies will focus on developing one-to-one friendship opportunities in local schools (elementary to collegiate levels), said Melanie Musick, area director. Three members of the local community have committed to serve on the Advisory Board: Samantha Clark of Caring Transitions in Bonita Springs and Naples; Suzanne Tocci of Tortuga Preserve Elementary; and Jodi Suskind of Thrivent Financial in Fort Myers.

Elks Club Donates Books to New Horizons Super Kids

New Horizons Super Kids Clubs from Bonita Springs visited the Barnes and Noble at Coconut Point Mall on May 11 to pick out their own books to enjoy over the summer. The Elks Lodge on Coconut Road donated $275 to cover the cost of the books.

Neal Communities Sponsors The BIG Backpack Event for 3rd Consecutive Year

Neal Communities has stepped up again to support students in need as the major sponsor for The BIG Backpack Event. The 19th annual event was held on July 29 at North Fort Myers High School, where more than 2,000 students received free backpacks and school supplies for the 2018-19 school year.

Neal Communities made a donation of $18,769 to the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida to fund The BIG Backpack Event.

Straight From New York Bagels Opens in Bonita

Straight from New York Bagels is now open and ready for business in Bonita Springs. This second shop of New York native Kurt Sexton features kettle-boiled bagels, pastries and deli sandwiches, and is open seven days a week. The shop held a ribbon cutting breakfast celebration with the Bonita Chamber July 19.

  The Bonita Springs location is at 24830 South Tamiami Trail. Learn more at StraightFromNY.com or call (239) 676-9184.

Golisano Children’s Hospital Named ‘Most Beautiful’ in the U.S.

Soliant, a leading specialty health care staffing provider, has named Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida as Soliant’s Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S. for 2018.

  More than 250,000 votes were cast nationally for this recognition. Golisano Children’s Hospital treats more than 25,000 patients annually and is the only accredited children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Golisano Children’s Hospital opened its new facility in 2017, and currently contains 128 patient beds in rooms designed to help patients and their families feel at home.