Those on hand for the check presentation included Mallory Welden, general manager, Beachside Hospitality Group; Austin Alexander, assistant general manager, Beachside Hospitality Group; Greg Powers, CEO, Beachside Hospitality Group; Jason Powella, special event planner, Lee Health Foundation; Katy Martinez, director of development, Lee Health Foundation; JoAnn Elardo, Wicked Dolphin; and Joe Termini, Wicked Dolphin. PHOTO PROVIDED

For the sixth year, The Salty Crab Bar & Grill located on Fort Myers Beach has held its “Rum Bucket Fundraiser” to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The fundraiser ran daily throughout the month of March, with the restaurant donating $1 for every rum bucket sold to support vital programs at the children’s hospital. This year, all donations were matched by local distillery, Wicked Dolphin, to raise more than $10,000 to support the pediatric neurosurgery program.

“We truly love our partnership with Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said Jamie McElhone, marketing coordinator for The Salty Crab. “They are a huge part of the community, and we feel honored to have been able to work with such a great cause again this year. Our team worked diligently to raise as much as we could, with staff even making it into a friendly competition to see who could sell the most. The fact that Wicked Dolphin agreed to come on board and match our donation is a testament to what ‘community’ is all about, and we are truly grateful for their support and generosity.”

JoAnn Elardo, founder of Wicked Dolphin agreed.

“It is always wonderful for Wicked Dolphin to team up with businesses like The Salty Crab to give back to deserving organizations like Golisano Children’s Hospital,” Elardo said. “These businesses know how important it is to support our local community. They give back! Wicked Dolphin is very proud to work with them and benefit this important cause.”

Access to specialty pediatric neurosurgery services is new to Southwest Florida. The pediatric neurosurgery program at Golisano Children’s Hospital provides immediate care for children facing complex or serious neurological conditions, so that children don’t have to be transported to an out-of-area hospital when seconds count the most. From timely consultations to immediate surgical intervention, Golisano Children’s Hospital has been building its pediatric neurosurgery program to offer comprehensive care for a full range of brain, spine, peripheral nerve, and craniofacial disorders in newborns, children and adolescents. This specialty is coming to life through the generous support of donors and community partnerships.

For more information about opportunities to support world-class health care in Southwest Florida at Lee Health, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950.