RumRunners collection event raises more than $3,000 for PACE Center for Girls; Next collection event in downtown Fort Myers on July 16

Kim Judd with Robert & Alex McDonald & Sara Garner

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 14, 2015) – RumRunners Restaurant raised more than $3,000 during its “Havana Nights” collection event on July 8, where 200 people dressed in their Caribbean best brought in nearly 250 donations, including dresses, shoes and accessories, for this year’s Love That Dress! event.

The evening included a selection of Cuban-style appetizers by Chef Todd, a signature Tito’s Mojito cocktail, “Fish Bowl” raffle, music by New Beginnings Events and more.

The next dress collection parties include:

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 complementary style and personal shopping experience with Christine Sherlock of Image Matters. VIP Suites are still 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!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.

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.

Robert & Alex McDonald

L.A. Clark

Gloria Tate & Joanne Robertson

Dottie Tronnes, Buffy Haygood & Laura Slack

Dooper & Christine Dold with Mitch Williamson

Sandy Stilwell, Allyson Ross & Jennifer Nelson

Patricia Cardenas & Kristen Thrash

Michael Rodstein, Michel Doherty & Max Dean

Meg Geltner & Diana Willis

Mary Beth Keslinger, Brittany Cohill & Gina Birch

Kelsi Gately, Brittney Novack, Kelly Knight & Mary Gibson

Hope Lewis & Donna Caruso

Brett Knight, Sara Garner, Carol Wonderly, Allyson Ross & Jeremy Eck

Betty Lockard & Virginia Henderson

Anne Wittenborn with Meghan & Christin Collins