FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 22, 2015) – More than 150 people attended the Sanibel-Captiva Sunset Party collection event on June 11 at SS Hookers, where more than $22,000 was raised through the event’s silent and live auctions, and 350 dresses were donated to Love That Dress!7’s main event.

The evening included a selection of hook, line and sinker appetizers, cash bar with proceeds from the night’s signature cocktail going to PACE Center for Girls, Inc. Lee County, music and entertainment by Robert McDonald of New Beginnings Events, a Chinese raffle, silent auction baskets and a live auction hosted by Mike Joyce from Gulfcoast Coin & Jewelry, and Gina Birch, local radio and TV personality. Auction items included exclusive Sanibel and the Islands vacations, spa treatments, golf outings, fishing excursions, a one-of a-kind Galatea jewelry set, restaurant gift cards, advertising packages and more.

“Another great collection event for another great cause,” said Sandy Stilwell, owner of SS Hookers and PACE board member. “A very special thank you to the Sunset Party committee members and local business sponsors for making this event possible and continuing to support the young women of PACE Center for Girls.”

Collection event sponsors included Contemporary Health Center, Goldberry, Racila, D’Allessandra, & Noone, LLC, Gulfcoast Coin & Jewelry, Gulfshore Life Magazine, Island Sun and River Weekly News, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Private Client Insurance Services, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, South Seas Island Resort and WINK News.

This year’s Love That Dress! will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Embassy Suites in Estero, located at 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive. In the months leading up to the event, members of the Southwest Florida community are asked to donate new and “gently loved” dresses and accessories at collection parties and convenient drop-off locations across the county. Collection parties hosted by generous local businesses and organizations are a way to connect with community members and sample the local fare, all while collecting inventory, raising funds and generating awareness for the main event.

During the main event, attendees will enjoy the huge inventory with friends, a silent auction full of unique packages, and cocktails. Suite and VIP ticket holders are granted access to early shopping, private dressing rooms, clothing holds, express check-out service, complimentary adult beverages, hors d’oeuvres and a private selection of decadent chocolates. VIP Suites are now available for purchase.  Tickets for the main event will go on sale August 1. Visit www.lovethatdress.org for more information.

All proceeds from Love That Dress!7 will benefit PACE Center for Girls, Lee County. PACE is a non-residential program targeting the unique needs of girls, ages 12 to 18, facing challenges such as physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, foster care, neglect, death of a parent, family history of incarceration, truancy and declining grades.

The next dress collection parties include:

  • Miromar Outlets “Help Make Magic Happen” Collection Event on Wednesday, June 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Miromar Outlets, located at 10801 Corkscrew Road in Estero
  • RumRunners “Havana Nights” Collection Event on Wednesday, July 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at RumRunners Restaurant, located at 5848 Cape Harbour Drive in Cape Coral
  • Goodwill Boutique on First “Uptown Funk” Collection Event on Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Goodwill Boutique on First, located at 2401 First Street in downtown Fort Myers with The Firestone After Party from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Firestone, located at 2224 Bay Street in downtown Fort Myers
  • Sephora Values Inside Out Collection Event on Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at Sephora, located at 23161 Fashion Drive, Suite 113 at Coconut Point in Estero
  • Six Bends Harley-Davidson Lucky Number 7 Casino Finale on Friday, August 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Six Bends Harley-Davidson, located at 9501 Thunder Road in Fort Myers

Last year, nearly 4,000 new and gently loved dresses were sold at the shopping event, raising more than $125,000 for PACE.

PACE Center for Girls, Inc. is a Florida-based, nonprofit organization and the only statewide prevention program for adolescent at-risk girls in the nation. In the past year, the Lee County program provided 116 girls with education, counseling, training and advocacy, resulting in 94 percent of girls in the program having no involvement with juvenile justice within six months of leaving PACE, 88 percent improving their academic performance and 80 percent remaining in school or obtaining employment three years after leaving PACE. As a result, PACE reduces the significant long-term costs associated with teen pregnancy, substance use, unemployment and long-term economic dependency.

 

PACE accepts referrals from the juvenile justice system, the Department of Children and Families, school personnel, community-service agencies, parents, family members and friends, as well as self-referrals.

For more information about the event, call 239-470-7548, visit www.lovethatdress.org or search “Love That Dress, Lee” on Facebook.

Sandy Stilwell, Lisa Groff & Maria Brickman

Sara Garner & Holly Olson

Nancy Finch & Samantha Baker

Missie Eshbaugh & Katrina Anderson

Mindi Goldberg with Dennis & Clara Peterson

Michele Tifft & Brittney Burt

Megan DiPiero & Allyson Ross

Max Dean & Jacque Wier

Lori & Dean Munro

Liz & Paul Dugan

Jennifer Pfenninger & Meg Geltner

Jason Phillips & John Agnew

Denise Joyce & Dee Sewell

Becky Violette, Nancy Debenedictis, Sheryl Johnson & Mimie DiRico

Becky Kelley & Camille Cromer

Nestor Ruiz, Marcina Nelson-Van Marrseveen, Patricia Cardemas & Jennifer Nelson

April & Corey Wilson