“Love Your Neighbor” to Support The Heights Foundation

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 29, 2015 - PRLog -- “Love Your Neighbor”, an annual event featuring Norman Love Confections and Mark Loren Designs, will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the riverfront Gulf Harbour home of Sonja and Stephan Burkard.   Guests will enjoy fine wine and spirits and an assortment of culinary creations from local restaurants including.  Live and silent auction items will be offered and all proceeds will benefit the School Success programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights Neighborhood.  $250,000 was raised at last year’s event.  Upgrades and VIP sponsorships that include the exclusive VIP pre-party are available.

“We believe it is important to support our neighbors in the Harlem Heights community’” said hosts Sonja and Stephan Burkard.   “The Heights Foundation’s mission is to build strong, self-sufficient families and education is the key to their success.”

“Our School Success program includes academic tutoring, after school and summer camp programs, scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support”, said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation.  “Each program is geared to meet the specific needs of children and young adults who seek to further their education.  The Gulf Harbour community has been very supportive of the Heights Foundation and we appreciate the Burkards opening their home for this important fundraiser.”

Tickets are now on sale for $200 each and space is limited.  Upgrades that include an exclusive pre-event VIP party are also available.  Purchase tickets at www.heightsfoundation.org/lyn or call Karen Lesza at (239) 482-7706.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.  The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.