Women in Business Mingle with the Media Event Raises Scholarship Money

Fort Myers, FL, September 21, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Women in Business group reports their first-ever wine auction on September 7 raised over $900 to support the WIB Scholarship Fund with Florida Gulf Coast University. Sonya Sawyer, CFO of employee-owned Home-Tech, hosted a successful event in their showroom attracting over 120 attendees. "Home-Tech is honored and delighted to be a part of this amazing networking family,” Sawyer remarked.

Sparkle Simmons, an FGCU student and WIB Scholarship recipient thanks the group for their support as a two-time grant award winner. “Attending the Wine Auction and having a chance to express my gratitude for everyone's support was the highlight of my week! I am bubbling over with gratitude and joy to be the recipient of the Greater Fort Myers Women in Business Scholarship. My commitment to finishing college and earning my degree in psychology is stronger than ever because of these women who believed in me. I know this will infinitely improve my life and the lives of my children. In addition, my eyes are fixed on my plans of earning a Master's degree in Counseling so that I can provide mental and emotional support to families in crisis.”

Last year, Women in Business awarded $3,000 to assist non-traditional female students pursue higher education. Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need and academic history while giving preference to single, divorced or widowed women with children who are returning or beginning college at a more mature age. FGCU manages the process and then selects the recipients.

“Yes, what a wonderful event!” said Shelly Osterhout, President of Computer Solutions of America, “We’re proud to be the scholarship sponsor.”

The other highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of special guests from the media by the meeting facilitator, Carolyn Rogers of Simplify PR. In attendance were Mei Mei Chan, Publisher, The News-Press; Phil Borchman, Editor, Gulfshore Business; Jean Gruss, of Gulf Coast Business Review; Valarie Edwards, Talk Show Host, Reporter, WGCU; Friedrich and Daniela Jaeger, Publishers, Times of The Islands, RSW Magazine, Bonita Living & Gulf and Main Magazines; and Angela Schivinski, Publisher, Fort Myers Florida Weekly.

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has been serving Lee County and the surrounding areas since 1989. With a membership base of over 1,000 companies, representing in excess of 100,000 employees, the Chamber is a voluntary organization of businesses and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of our community. For information on how you can get involved, visit the Chamber at 2310 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers 33901, call (239) 332-2930 or log onto www.FortMyers.org.

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