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Golisano Children’s Hospital Fashion Show raises more than $100,000 to support pediatric behavioral health

The 9th annual Golisano Children’s Hospital Fashion Show raised more than $100,000 to support Kids’ Minds Matter, a new pediatric mental and behavioral health movement in Southwest Florida.

The elegant affair, held Dec. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, attracted more than 500 guests and featured a gourmet luncheon, fashion show and multiple fundraising opportunities.

Upon entering the ballroom, attendees had a chance to participate in the silent auction, bidding on items like hotel stays, handbags, artwork, autographed merchandise, social outings and more. Another unique fundraising attraction was the flower wall, where guests selected a flower and won a corresponding prize, which included purses, jewelry, picture frames and gift baskets.

More than two dozen models participated in the fashion show, including current and former Golisano Children’s Hospital patients Kayden Sellick, Leo Grabinski, Lola Grabinski, Lucas Saunders and Skye Sanders. Models sported apparel from 16 local and national clothiers, including White House | Black Market, Brodeur Carvell, Dillard’s, Mondo Uomo, Evelyn & Arthur, Gigi’s Children’s Boutique and more.

Residents of the Pelican Landing community created the Fashion Show in 2010 to coincide with Lee Health Foundation’s launch of a capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art, freestanding children’s hospital. That facility, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, opened in 2017, so this year the Fashion Show directed its philanthropy toward mental and behavioral health. In November, the Foundation announced a new $10 million campaign to support Kids’ Minds Matter, which has become the region’s strategic solution to improve access to families seeking pediatric mental and behavioral health services.

Over the past nine years, the Fashion Show has raised more than $700,000 to support Golisano Children’s Hospital.

The event’s Gold Runway Sponsor was VaNita and Jim Laurito. Silver Runway Sponsors include Angie Nichols, Carol Wood and Claire McMahon Team (John R. Wood Realtors), Don Blake (Picket Fence Appraisals), Dorothy Daly, Kathie and Dave Shellenbarger, Key Private Bank, Marian and Dick Niehaus, and Naples Daily News. Bronze Table Sponsors include Amy Quaremba and Friends, Best Moving & Storage, Allie Van Lines, Diane Lepola (UBS Financial Services), Genesis Wealth Management (UBS Financial Services), Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Lexington Country Club, Nancy Near and Friends, Seminole Casino, Stock Development, Thelma Negley, U.S. Trust, Vi at Bentley Village and eBella Magazine.

Supporters also were able to support four Fund-A-Need initiatives through the Fashion Show: music therapy sessions, teen care packages, behavioral health therapy toys and the behavioral health center.

About Golisano Children’s Hospital

Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past three years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 128-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 64 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.

About Lee Health Foundation

Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health, including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Foundation provides financial support for many service areas including the Regional Cancer Center, Lee Health – Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinics in both Port Charlotte and Naples. Over the past two years, the Foundation has distributed more than $53 million to Lee Health to support its lifesaving mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950 for more information.

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