FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 11, 2013) – Less than two weeks away, the 8th Annual Becoming Cosmopolitan event will offer a list of unique auction items this year including family vacations to Walt Disney World and Sea World, a luxury getaway to Charleston, SC, VIP trip to Las Vegas and the ultimate sports lover’s trip to watch the Boston Red Sox on Fenway’s Green Monster.

Benefitting Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc., the event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Firestone Grille & Sky Lounge located at 2224 Bay Street in downtown Fort Myers.

“We are so excited with how this year’s event is coming together, said Tracey Galloway, CEO of CCMI.  “It’s going to be a wonderful night of fun and friendship in support of those less fortunate in our community.”

This year’s event will continue with the previously successful lounge theme with a few new twists and include a live band and DJ, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, sinfully delicious chocolate and desserts, exciting raffles, an after party and a gentleman’s lounge featuring scotch and craft-beer tastings, gaming and more all in celebration of the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Southwest Florida.

More than 300 people attended last fall’s Becoming Cosmopolitan event. Because of The Firestone’s building capacity, only 225 tickets will be sold this year. Tickets for the event are still available for purchase at www.ccmileecounty.com.

According to CCMI, the amount of the $125 event ticket provides either three months of emergency food to a family of four who is struggling, one month of hot meals to a homebound senior citizen or a weekend backpack filled with food for a student during an entire school year.

“Each year, we have been able to make this event bigger and better than ever,” said Katie Haas, director of Florida operations for the Boston Red Sox and CCMI board member. “The monies raised will go a remarkably long way in helping CCMI assist the growing number of our local neighbors who are in need of food and other social services.”

For the second consecutive year, FineMark National Bank & Trust has signed on as the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include: AFCO Insurance Premium Finance, All About Closets Inc., BB&T-OTC, Caloosa Tent & Rental, Chico’s FAS Inc., The Diamond District, Dixie Buick GMC, Florida Weekly, FPL, Garamone Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Grandeur Magazine, Gulfshore Life Magazine, Deanna and Wesley Hansen, Irresistible Confections, the Law Firm of Scott T. Moorey, Scanlon Auto Group, The Wilbur Smith Law Firm, Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group and The News-Press Media Group.

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 Cafés and Marketplaces and Meals on Wheels programs. CCMI also educates 35 children in its Community Montessori, offers homeless and comprehensive life coaching services through its United Way Resource Houses, oversees an emergency mobile food pantry and supplies school pantries and weekend backpacks full of food to more than 1,500 children and their families each school year.

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 or to purchase tickets, call 239-332-7687 or visit www.ccmileecounty.com.