Scoops and Treats to hold blood drive Sunday

Scoops and Treats at 229 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 6, Cape Coral, will be holding a blood drive this Sunday, March 21, from 1-6 p.m. Look for the Big Red Bus!

All donors will receive a Tie-Dye T-shirt, a $10 electronic gift card and a Scoops and Treats coupon for a free pine of ice cream. In addition, those donating blood will receive a free wellness checkup, including COVID-19 antibody test, along with blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screenings.

Space is limited due to social distancing, so please sign up for an appointment by visiting oneblood.org/donate-now and use sponsor code #62236.

Scoops and Treats features ice cream, fudge, roasted nuts and more. The shop is open Monday through Friday, 5-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1-10 p.m. all 239-470-2670 for more information.

Leadership NEXT to ‘wine down’ at The Wine Room April 13

Leadership NEXT, a monthly program for advancing business professionals, will host a networking program from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at The Wine Room in Fort Myers.

A wine bar and retail shop in downtown Fort Myers, The Wine Room offers wine tastings, wine by the glass, wine bottle purchases and beer options for those who are not wine lovers. With every bottle purchase, 3% is given back to the community by selecting a local nonprofit of choice.

During the Leadership NEXT program, Sarah Newcomb, founder of The Wine Room, will share her entrepreneurial experience, and the challenges of opening a new business during the COVID pandemic. Prior to launching The Wine Room, Newcomb held positions with Lee County Government and The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools before becoming the first person to serve as president and CEO of the Estero Chamber of Commerce.

Guests will also hear from Ali Strauss-Eck, owner and operator of Grazing Haus, who will share her experience launching Southwest Florida’s first concierge cheese service. Strauss-Eck founded Grazing Haus in 2019, inspired by her American-Austrian heritage and passion for cultural eating.

Attendees of Leadership NEXT represent a variety of businesses and industries throughout Southwest Florida. Sessions take place from 5-7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month and offer opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills, establish working relationships with colleagues and engage in valuable programs and discussions to further enhance their careers. Leadership NEXT’s annual sponsor is the Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association.

The Wine Room is located at 1544 Broadway in downtown Fort Myers. Admission is free for chamber members and $10 for future members and includes one complimentary drink. Advanced registration is required for all attendees as capacity is limited to allow for social distancing. Attendees can register at FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.

Jennifer’s April ‘Fashion Forward Friday’ to benefit Cape Coral Animal Shelter

Jennifer’s women’s boutique is celebrating 38 years in business by giving back to local charities at “Fashion Forward Friday” events.  The Cape Coral Animal Shelter will receive 5% of all sales on Friday, April 2, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Shoppers will enjoy champagne and cupcakes and will receive 15% off all shorts.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to engaging a special bond between people and animals through adoption services, medical care, education, and training for the prevention of cruelty and abandonment. The shelter provides a safe place where animals will receive the care they need and remain until they are placed in a qualified, forever home.

Jennifer’s will also be collecting much-needed items for the shelter, including commercial garbage bags, paper towels, toilet paper, and white and colored copier paper.  They need kitten formula (KMR) and wet kitten food (preferably pate).  The shelter also has wish lists on Amazon.com and Chewy.com. 

Jennifer Williams opened her Fort Myers boutique in November 1983.  Jennifer’s is located at 13251 McGregor Blvd., in The Design Center, and is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  Call 239-481-8582 or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com or on Facebook or Instagram.

Industry Appreciation Awards rescheduled for October 2021

Due to COVID-19, the Industry Appreciation Awards’ event organizers have made the decision to postpone the annual awards celebration to best serve guests, honorees and event supporters. The event will now be held on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.

Since 1992, the Industry Appreciation Awards have celebrated the Lee County business community and recognized outstanding local businesses that have positively influenced Southwest Florida. On Oct. 22, the event will commence in the same fashion as it has for nearly three decades–as a reason to gather and honor the businesses and leaders that make Lee County extraordinary.

In response to the pandemic, organizers have added a special award category for the 2021 IAA event. The Business Resiliency and Innovation Award will recognize a business that successfully pivoted their operations, products or services to be resilient and help the needs of the community during COVID-19.

For more information about or to get involved with the 2021 Industry Appreciation Awards, contact Horizon Foundation Chief Fundraising Consultant Dilman Thomas at 239-810-1948 or dthomas@horizon-foundation.com