Allyson Ross, Samantha Baker, Nancy Finch, SS Hookers General Manager and Executive Chef John Feagans, Sara Garner, Sandy Stilwell and Cookie Douglas

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 23, 2015) – PACE Center for Girls of Lee County receives nearly $22,000 from SS Hookers after the restaurant’s inaugural Sunset Party collection event to benefit the organization and its Love That Dress! fundraising event.

“We knew that Sandy Stilwell and the incredible women on her committee were planning a night to remember for Love That Dress!,” said Meg M. Geltner, executive director of PACE Center for Girls, Lee County. “We are thrilled that this collection event generated so much support and generosity from our community.”

The Sunset Party at SS Hookers 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 Suite owners will also receive a complimentary style and personal shopper experience by Christine Sherlock of Image Matters. Limited VIP Suites are now available for purchase. Tickets for the main event will go on sale Aug. 1. Visit www.lovethatdress.org for more information.

All proceeds from Love That Dress! 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.

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.