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. 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.
“We are incredibly grateful to have such committed community partners such as The Salty Crab Bar & Grill, Beachside Hospitality Group and Wicked Dolphin, who continue to support Golisano Children’s Hospital year after year,” said Katy Martinez, director of development at Lee Health. “With this donation, The Salty Crab Rum Bucket Fundraiser has contributed more than $60,000 over the last six years to meet the evolving healthcare needs of southwest Florida families.”
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.
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.
