Dean Chavis and Tracey Galloway

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2013) – Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. hosted more than 200 volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on Feb. 8.

“Hosting our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast is an annual highlight for everyone at CCMI,” said Tracey Galloway, CEO of CCMI. “These dedicated hunger fighters are the hands and the feet of our organization. Without them, many of our services would cease to exist. We are grateful on a daily basis to have each of them on our team.”

Galloway expressed her appreciation to the crowd of volunteers by sharing numbers achieved throughout the past year for the organization. In 2012, there were 52,700 recorded volunteer hours; 80,000 freshly prepared, hot meals served in the Everyday Cafés; 105,000 freshly prepared, hot meals delivered to Meals on Wheels customers; 197,000 miles driven by Meals on Wheels drivers; 10,250 unduplicated individuals served throughout CCMI programs; 60,000 backpacks filled with emergency food delivered each Friday for hungry school children; and $734,276 worth of donated food.

The morning also featured live entertainment from Greg Kurth, owner and dance instructor at Rhythm in Motion, as he and two guest dancers performed dances such as the rumba and waltz.

The breakfast concluded with raffled gifts and prizes by Costco, Famous Dave’s, Ford’s Garage, Fort Myers Miracles, Iguana Mia, Jason’s Deli, Lee County Supervisors of Elections Office, Rib City, The Rock, Walgreens, The Veranda and more.       

CCMI is an innovative nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. The agency provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Everyday Café and Marketplace and Home Delivered Meals programs. CCMI also educates 40 children in its Community Montessori and offers homeless and comprehensive case management services through its United Way Resource Houses.

CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. CCMI works in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, Harry Chapin Food Bank and various community foundations as well as collaborating with fellow community and service groups including The School District of Lee County and numerous churches, businesses and community support organizations.

For more information, call 239-332-7687 or visit www.ccmileecounty.com.

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