Priority Marketing’s September 2024 Client Headlines Report recaps news stories that you should read, watch or hear before the month ends.
The firm’s award-winning Public Relations Team helps clients and partners earn media coverage in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio, and on blogs, social media and websites. At the end of each month, the PR Team combs through hundreds of local, national and international news headlines to create its informative Client Headlines Report.
Below are just some of the many important stories that were published or aired in September 2024.
BOOKMARK IT: Client News Feed
Community marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Lee Health Foundation’s signature Clips for Cancer shaving event at Dave & Buster’s highlighted a monthlong recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month across Southwest Florida. This year’s fundraising events included restaurants, attractions, breweries, fitness centers and other businesses all partnering to raise money for Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital’s cancer fund. Fundraising continues through Sept. 30 on the Clips for Cancer website.
NBC2: ‘I’ll remember him forever’: The bond between two boys who fought cancer together
WINK: Miracle Moment: 5-year-old fighting cancer
WINK: Clips for Cancer: the event raising awareness for childhood cancer
ABC7: Kickoff to Clips for Cancer
ABC7: Healthy Living: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Cape Coral Breeze: Barbara’s Friends: ‘Wrapping the whole family in a hug’
South Florida Hospital News & Healthcare Report: Clips for Cancer planned during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September
Summit educates residents and honors heroes
Collier County’s inaugural Emergency Readiness Summit equipped residents with critically important information (as well as supplies) to better prepare for natural emergencies, with a particular focus on lessons learned from Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Priority Marketing helped promote the Sept. 14 summit, which reached capacity weeks before the event, while partnering with media to spotlight best practices for hurricane preparation.
Event Coverage:
WINK: Collier County hosts inaugural Emergency Readiness Summit
ABC7: Hundreds of people get help preparing for future emergencies
Coastal Breeze: Collier County Emergency Readiness Summit offers storm prep, honors heroes
Advanced Coverage:
Florida Weekly: Collier County to host first Emergency Readiness Summit
Naples Press: County to host Emergency Readiness Summit
SWFL 100: Free Emergency Readiness Summit at Collier County
Gulfshore Business: Collier County to host Emergency Readiness Summit on Sept. 14
‘Growing Pains’ TV star to speak at Community Prayer Breakfast
Kirk Cameron, known by millions as Mike Seaver from the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast. Since that show, Cameron has invested his time and energy into faith and family-focused films, television shows and live events focused on marriage, family and parenting. Registration is now underway at CommunityPrayerBreakfast.com.
Above Board Chamber: Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast announces 2025 event and keynote speaker
Local, federal support to put 262 families in new homes
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners awarded $50 million to Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties through Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery. Funds will support five single-family affordable housing developments in Lee County and create affordable homeownership opportunities for 262 future families.
WINK: Habitat for Humanity receives $50 million grant for over 200 new homes
WGCU: Tens of millions of dollars go to affordable housing in Lee County
Satellite internet to keep agencies connected after the next disaster
Nearly two dozen Southwest Florida nonprofits and public service agencies are receiving satellite internet devices to maintain service should another major hurricane disrupt telecommunications. Through a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) partnered with CRS Technology Consultants to install satellite internet devices for 22 local organizations.
Lake Okeechobee News: SWFL nonprofits, first responders gifted satellite internet devices
Gulfshore Business: SWFL nonprofits, first responders gifted satellite internet devices
Old Florida roadside attraction bids farewell
After an 86-year run that spanned hurricanes, economic downturns, fires and other challenges, Priority Marketing partnered with the Shell Factory to announce the historic attraction’s closing in September. The 18-acre venue entertained multiple generations with amusement-style rides, arcade games, miniature golf, 50,000 square feet of gift shops, a 4.5-acre nature park, two restaurants and much more. “I feel proud that the Shell Factory has achieved such a long-lasting, 86-year history that has touched the lives of so many, and I’m grateful for the incredible journey and enduring legacy we leave behind,” said owner Pam Cronin. The news drew widespread media attention and thousands of social media comments from visitors with fond memories of the attraction. Below are a few media stories that captured sentiments of Southwest Florida.
The News-Press: ‘With heavy hearts’: Iconic SWFL attraction closing this month
The News-Press: End of an era: 55 photos of the popular and iconic Shell Factory in North Fort Myers
WGCU: Shell Factory announces closing; Park operated for nearly 90 years
NBC2: Iconic Shell Factory & Nature Park announces closure after 86 years in North Fort Myers
Business Observer: Fort Myers’ historic Shell Factory shutting down after 85 years
North Fort Myers Neighbor: Shell Factory & Nature Park announces plans to permanently close, sell property
Nonprofit, volunteers transform grandmother’s home
A code enforcement officer in Cape Coral who took time to learn about a resident’s challenges activated a partnership between Lee BIA Builders Care and Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. After losing her husband of 44 years and after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Yolanda Arroyo found it difficult to keep up with home maintenance. Soon after, teams of volunteers pulled weeds, mowed the lawn, created a low-maintenance garden area, pressure washed the exterior of the home and driveway, and installed a new mailbox.
Cape Coral Breeze: Lee BIA Builders Care, Leadership Cape Coral partner on home improvements for Cape Coral homeowner in need
Architect completes designs for iconic Sanibel store
Two years after Hurricane Ian devastated Sanibel Island, GMA Architects & Planners unveiled its initial architectural designs for Bailey’s General Store. The rebuilt grocery store will be larger, occupying 35,000 square feet, and be elevated by 10 feet for enhanced storm resiliency. The project will feature open space and partially covered parking on the ground level, with a green design that emphasizes energy efficiency, rooftop solar panels and the use of native vegetation in the landscape design.
WINK: Bailey’s General Store shares renderings for Sanibel Island rebuild
Sanibel Captiva Islander: Bailey family provides update on rebuild of main store
The News-Press: Sanibel’s beloved Bailey’s is one big step closer to its post-Hurricane Ian return
Doctor making the rounds to combat childhood obesity
Dr. Salvatore Anzalone joined Healthcare Network in 2014, but since being promoted to vice president of clinical business development in early 2024, he has stepped forward to combat an issue of growing concern in Southwest Florida – childhood obesity. In recent weeks, Priority Marketing has helped secure public relations opportunities for Anzalone to appear on television, in print and on the radio discussing trends and outlining recommendations to tackle this issue.
ABC7: Healthy Living: Combating childhood obesity
Lake Okeechobee News: Childhood obesity is a disease — we should treat it as one
Neapolitan Family: Childhood obesity crisis in Collier County: Healthcare Network takes action
Florida Weekly: Childhood obesity is a disease —we should treat it as one
Awards and honors: Client recognitions
Priority Marketing helps clients share the good news when they win awards, accolades or have other exciting updates to share. Below are recent items that caught our PR team’s attention:
New faces in new places: Promotions and appointments
Congratulations to the following individuals who were recently hired, promoted or awarded additional responsibilities by client partners that Priority Marketing serves:
- Keegan Myers: hired by Lee Health Foundation as marketing communications coordinator
- Logan Holley and Theo Schimper: hired by Stevens Construction as project managers
- Charles Jarrett: joined board of directors at Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance
- Peter Kennedy: promoted to store manager for Sunshine Ace Hardware in Ave Maria
- Islande Victorin: hired as RISE program coordinator at Guadalupe Center
Do you need a Public Relations Team to help tell your story? Please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or send an email to LetsTalk@PriorityMarketing.com.
