Since 2009, SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. (SWFLCC) has raised more than $27 million to support the healthcare needs of kids in Southwest Florida. The most significant beneficiary has been Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, which serves families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. Close to $4 million has also been provided for college scholarships and equipment to […]

Cali Peaks and Tuscan Treats: A Summit of Giving Scott Fischer and his wife Mary are excited to host “A Summit of Giving” for 40 elite philanthropists in their newly renovated, Palmetto Point home in Fort Myers. The world-class dinner will feature Tuscan delights by celebrated chef Marco Corricelli, paired with Northern California wines by Lokoya, Cardinale and Elusa wineries. […]

When your 2 1/2-year-old wakes up screaming with an ominous lump protruding from his abdomen, you are grateful to have a children’s hospital in town. Ed and Rachel Bell of Fort Myers certainly were on New Year’s Eve 2007 as they raced their son, Jack, to the emergency room of HealthPark’s children’s hospital. There he was tested, admitted and diagnosed […]

A committed partner of SWFL Children’s Charities for the past seven years, Saint Helena Winery has been named the Honored Signature Vintner for the 2024 SWFL Wine & Food Fest. Founded in 2000, this compact operation in Napa Valley, California, crafts estate-grown cabernet sauvignon in limited lots for an exclusive clientele. Located in one of the most ideal locales for […]

Unlike many kids her age, 6-yearold Mila Rauser is not shy. She loves to play and interact with people, charming everyone she meets. “I always say, if you’re having a bad day, just hang out with Mila, and she’ll make you feel really good about yourself,” said her mother, Bailey Susic. As the 2024 SWFL Children’s Charities Child Artist, Mila […]

Blackberry Fields Forever You and three guests will venture boldly where few have had the privilege – Blackberry Farm, revered for exclusive wine and epicurean experiences and the privacy and serenity of an off-the-beaten-path locale tucked within the rolling hills of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. Abounding with southern hospitality, even an obligatory red barn, this hidden gem is beloved by […]

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has become a victim of its own success. After Lee Health built the 300,000-square-foot, 7-story facility in 2017, there was great rejoicing that the 6-county region would have sufficient resources to care for its youngest residents for years to come. Just 6 years later, after the pandemic, Hurricane Ian and an unforeseen population boom […]

The initial month of Benjamin White’s life was a relentless whirlwind, pulling his parents, Paul and Rebecca White, into a high-velocity vortex that blurred moments in an unforgiving storm. This chaotic state persisted since an infection-induced early labor, marked by ominous medical terms like pneumothorax and hydrocephalus. Born at 27 weeks, a significant 13 weeks premature, Benjamin faced immediate challenges. […]