More than $120,000 distributed to medical employees for hurricane relief
SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. and Lee Health Foundation partnered with the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades to provide hurricane relief to medical staff at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Through this collaboration, the partners will be disbursing more than $120,000 through the SWFL Cares Relief Fund. SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. started the SWFL Cares Relief Fund in October 2022 to raise funds to directly support the employees in the medical field in our Southwest Florida community after the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian.
More than $71,000 was raised by SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. and Lee Health Foundation provided a match up to $50,000. More than 220 applications came in for the fund and each approved employee of Golisano Children’s Hospital will receive a $550 gift card. United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades is providing the disbursement activities to medical staff.
“We are thrilled to partner with like-minded organizations to help provide care to our community’s children,” said Ed Bell, president of SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.
“The generosity of our community towards the healthcare heroes who worked throughout the hurricane has been nothing short of amazing,” said Chris Simoneau, chief development, marketing and communications officer for Lee Health. “We are truly grateful for the partnership that we have held for many years with SWFL Children’s Charities, the largest donor to Golisano Children’s Hospital. In partnership with the United Way, it has been great to provide our pediatric healthcare workers some relief in their own recovery journey.”
About SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.
SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to saving children’s lives by supporting the region’s growing pediatric health care system. SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s annual signature fundraiser, the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, has donated more than $27 million over the past 14 years in support of children’s health initiatives. SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. postponed the 2023 SWFL Wine & Food Fest to better support our Southwest Florida community through the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian. SWFL Wine & Food Fest will take place on January 19 & 20, 2024. Proceeds from the 2024 event will support pediatric health care services in the Southwest Florida region including the Golisano Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.swflwinefest.org.
About Lee Health Foundation
Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Foundation provides financial support for many service areas including the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, Lee Health Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinics in both Charlotte and Naples. For more information, please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org.
