LTC Global Inc. will serve as title sponsor of the 2015 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, scheduled for Feb. 27-28 at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.
Fort Myers-based LTC Global is the leading national provider of capital to long-term care insurance agencies, their owners and their agents. CEO Richard Pitbladdo co-founded the company in 2002. Richard and Vicki Pitbladdo have been significant personal contributors to the Wine and Food Fest for the past four years.
The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest begins Friday, Feb. 27 with dinners featuring select vintners and local chefs in private homes from Naples to Captiva. Saturday afternoon’s activities include the Grand Tasting followed by a live auction at the Beach Clubhouse at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. Tickets are $1,500 per person for both days or $500 per person for the Grand Tasting and Auction.
“Our involvement in the Wine and Food Fest over the years has been very gratifying, with the event’s contribution to the children of Southwest Florida growing year after year,” said Richard Pitbladdo. “We have elevated LTC Global’s role to lead sponsor in 2015 to help this charity complete the fulfillment of its pledge to raise $10 million in support of expanding our regional children’s hospital.”
The festival is the signature event of SWFL Children’s Charities Inc., a nonprofit organization that funds programs that serve local children. The Wine Fest has raised more than $11.6 million over the last six years, making it the most successful fundraising event in Lee County. The primary beneficiary is Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, which is scheduled to open in 2016 at HealthPark Medical Center in South Fort Myers. The state-of-the-art family-center children’s hospital will provide new and expanded pediatric medical services and subspecialty services to children throughout Southwest Florida. The Wine Fest also supports the Florida SouthWestern State College’s pediatric nursing program and Florida Gulf Coast University’s music therapy program.
Elaine Hawkins and Dorothy Fitzgerald are serving as event chairpersons for the second year.
For tickets, sponsorships or more information, call SWFL Children’s Charities at 239-513-7990, email info@swflwinefest.org, or visit swflwinefest.org.
