"Love Your Neighbor" to Support the Heights Foundation

Fort Myers, FL, December 06, 2012 --(PR.com)-- “Love Your Neighbor”, an annual event benefiting the Heights Foundation, will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Gulf Harbour home of Daun and Peter Dessak. Guests will enjoy an assortment of culinary creations from local restaurants along with a selection of fine wine and spirits. Live and silent auction items will be offered and all proceeds will benefit the School Success programs for at-risk children in the Harlem Heights Neighborhood. Nearly $300,000 was raised at last year’s event including $150,000 toward the annual fund and $150,000 to complete the capital campaign.

“The residents of Harlem Heights are our neighbors,” said Daun Dessak. “We believe it is important to support the Heights Foundation in their mission to build strong, self-sufficient families and education is the key to their success.”

“Our School Success program includes academic tutoring, after school and summer camp programs, scholarship and college access assistance, school supplies, and tuition support,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “Each program is geared to meet the specific needs of children and young adults who seek to further their education.”

Tickets are now on sale for $150 each and space is limited. Purchase tickets at www.heightsfoundation.org or call Laurie at (239) 482-7706.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Center, supported by the Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment. We work to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. As a 501(c)3 grassroots organization, the Center’s mission is to promote family and community development, support education, health and wellness, and provide the benefits of enrichment, expressive and cultural arts. The Heights Center is under construction and will be completed this month.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 1,200 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 55% Hispanic, 36% African-American, and 9% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.