FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 16, 2014) – The Coca Cola Company, Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops, Encore Bank, Florida Power and Light Company, JetBlue Airways and presenting sponsor Ted Todd Insurance have all signed on to sponsor this year’s Evening with the Red Sox dinner and auction. The ninth annual event will be held at JetBlue Park, located at 11500 Fenway South Drive in Fort Myers, on Monday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Additional sponsorships and tables are still available from $1,250 to $10,000. Donations for auction items are also being accepted.
“We have a great list of sponsorships available this year for a variety of interested businesses and individuals,” said Jim Larkin, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops and chairperson for the event. “It’s a great feeling knowing that we’re not only putting on a fun event for a good cause but that we’re doing it together as a community.”
Benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, the event will include a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, silent and live auctions, games and dinner. Red Sox players will also be in attendance signing autographs along with Red Sox Manager and American League Manager of the Year runner-up John Farrell as the event’s special-guest speaker. Last year’s event included autograph signings with Red Sox players Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli as well as Farrell.
Funds raised during the event will benefit the BGCLC’s after-school programs, which include homework assistance and tutoring, academic enrichment activities, extracurricular clubs, fitness and social recreation, performing arts, civic engagement and more. Last year’s Evening with the Red Sox event raised more than $90,000, providing more than 30,000 hours of service to more than 420 young people in the Lee County community who later demonstrated academic success, character and leadership development and healthier lifestyles from the agency’s programs.
“These youth rely on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to provide a safe place to explore their interests and learn valuable life skills,” said Shannon Lane, chief professional officer for the BGCLC. “This cannot be accomplished without the generous support of businesses and individuals in our community, and we thank them for their contributions.”
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The BGCLC strives to provide a safe, world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through its doors. The organization envisions all of its members graduating high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. In 2014, the BGCLC will celebrate 40 years of providing quality youth programs in Lee County.
Clubs are located in communities with the greatest need where similar services are limited or nonexistent. Membership dues are $10 per school year so that all children can have access to its programs. The BGCLC relies upon the philanthropic support of individuals, corporations and foundations in order to sustain and grow its services.
For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Shannon Lane at 239-334-1886 or slane@bgclc.net, or visit www.bgclc.net.
