SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. recently hosted a mission reception leading up to the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest to help show supporters who their funds are supporting. Bringing together trustees, sponsors and supporters, the cocktail reception was hosted by Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. President Sandy Stilwell Youngquist kicked off the evening with a discussion about the 2020 Fund-A-Cause and pledge to raise $3 Million to help create the new SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital. The evening included a preview of artwork that will live in the new space especially created with the 2020 theme of Painting a Difference – Putting Kids and includes the handprints of four children who have been positively affected by their experiences specifically in the area of Ophthalmology. Attendees of the 2020 SWFL Wine & Food Fest will also have a chance to add their thumbprint to the piece called “I see your true colors” before its final destination at the lobby of the new Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital. Four families shared their stories of struggles and triumphs with vision and their children’s journeys with Golisano Children’s Hospital with the attendees. In November 2019, generous supporters were first to tour the new Counseling Center at Florida Gulf Coast University and in January at a reception, Florida SouthWestern State College completed demonstrations of the new pediatric transport equipment and ambulance; both were funded by Southwest Florida Children’s Charities, Inc. Celebrating its 12th year, the two-day Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will feature Chef Vintner Dinners on Friday, Feb. 21, creatively hosted in private luxury venues across the region, and the Grand Tasting and Live Auction on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. Guests will experience artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expertly paired with vintners from some of the finest and most exclusive wineries.
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Photo credit Mark Schoenfelt Photography.
