Kids’ Minds Matter, the region’s mental and behavioral health solution, will host its annual Secret Garden Gala on March 6 at Shangri-La Springs Resort & Spa.
The Secret Garden Gala is an elegant evening affair featuring hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, a seated dinner, live auction, musical entertainment and compelling conversation aimed at raising awareness and philanthropic support for pediatric mental and behavioral health initiatives.
Kids’ Minds Matter is a movement dedicated to advancing pediatric mental and behavioral health services in Southwest Florida. Its goal is to provide all youth and their families with a proper diagnosis, resources and treatment options. An estimated 46,000 local children are impacted by mental and behavioral health disorders like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychosis, substance abuse, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Lee Health and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida recently announced a new $10 million campaign to support Kids’ Minds Matter, which is establishing a framework to connect community partners and improve families’ access to care.
One emphasis of Kids’ Minds Matter is delivering the “right care at the right place and right time,” and support will help fund a four-tiered model of care that clinically aligns the community, inpatient and outpatient care. According to national data, the average time from onset of symptoms to treatment is eight to 10 years. Misdiagnosis and lack of access often are cited in the delays.
Golisano Children’s Hospital already has begun to expand its outpatient footprint and plans to hire additional psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health counselors. Funding from Kids’ Minds Matter will help Lee Health develop and launch a TelePsychiatry program to leverage an evidence-based digital platform to screen, treat and educate families whose children have depression, anxiety and trauma.
Doors to Shangri-La Springs open at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6 for the Secret Garden Gala. Built in 1921, Shangri-La Springs offers a variety of unique services, including a stately property with an organic garden, organic restaurant, fitness studio, full-service organic spa, gift shop and event space. Shangri-La Springs is located at 27750 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs.
The Secret Garden Gala is being co-chaired by Susan Goldy and Scott Spiezle, who co-founded Kids’ Minds Matter, and Jennifer Parisi. NBC2 anchor Kellie Burns will emcee the event, and benefit auctioneer Rick Gallo will lead a “Fund the Need” auction to generate additional support. Richard Keelan, a child advocate at Golisano Children’s Hospital who is certified in Mental Health First Aid, will deliver the keynote address.
Tickets for the Secret Garden Gala are $500 per person and include an exquisite dinner prepared by the talented chefs at Crave Culinaire, a live musical performance of Les Miserables’ “Bring Him Home” by nationally acclaimed bass-baritone Doug Renfroe.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including presenting sponsorships that include a reserved table for 10 guests and a variety of marketing and advertising opportunities. A portion of each sponsorship is tax deductible.
For more information on tickets and sponsorships, please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/SecretGarden or call the Lee Health Foundation at 239-214-0898.
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.
About Kids’ Minds Matter
Founded in 2016 by Susan Goldy and Scott Spiezle, Kids’ Minds Matter is a unified movement in Southwest Florida dedicated to advancing pediatric mental and behavioral health services. By developing clinical pathways to screen and treat patients, enhancing public awareness through education, and lobbying for systemic change and sustainable funding, Kids’ Minds Matter aims to align mental health providers, local agencies, the judicial system, law enforcement, schools and faith-based organizations. Kids’ Minds Matter is managed through the Lee Health Foundation. Please visit KidsMindsMatter.com or call 239-343-6950 for more information.