A half-dozen Southwest Florida businesses made sure 400 Lee County children and teens headed into winter break with smiles, Christmas gifts and perhaps a little sugar rush.
GL Homes, Suncoast Credit Union, Hertz, Lee Health, Sharetea and Pulte Homes served as this year’s Adopt-a-Club Holiday Party sponsors through Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. Each business provided festive holiday parties in December filled with fun surprises, including sweet treats, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, holiday music and movies. Santa and Mrs. Claus also stopped by locations to personally hand-deliver gifts, toys and games to club members.
GL Homes adopted the Renaissance Preserve Neighborhood Club in Fort Myers, where children and teens enjoyed pizza, drinks, Christmas music, holiday-themed TV shows and a cookie-decoration station. Santa’s arrival was marked by applause, screams and waves from club members, each of whom had an opportunity to speak with jolly old Saint Nick before receiving their gifts.
This partnership marked the fourth time GL Homes has been an Adopt-a-Club sponsor. According to Dianna Betancourt, vice president and project manager for GL Homes, there is a strong synergy because Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County provides safe shelter for children after school and during the summer, while the homebuilder provides safe shelter for families across the community.
“It’s important for us to focus our philanthropy in areas where we build our communities,” Betancourt said. “GL Homes is a family-owned and operated company, and it’s important for us to show our family values and help other families in the area.”
GL Homes, which also was the title sponsor for Boys & Girls Clubs’ annual Holiday Gift Drive that culminated earlier in December, took its Holiday Party to the next level by setting up a shopping experience that allowed club members to choose gifts for their parents. Among the hottest gifts for mom and dad were coffee mugs, wallets, hygiene kits, perfumes, makeup sets, tool kits and more. Suncoast Credit Union, Hertz and Sharetea joined GL Homes as returning Adopt-a-Club sponsors, while 2024 was the first time Lee Health and Pulte Homes sponsored holiday parties.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County makes it a point to celebrate major holidays and events as a club family, including Thanksgiving dinners and the Adopt-a-Club Holiday Parties. That’s because club members have a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Many families across Southwest Florida are struggling, especially during the holiday season,” said Denise Gergley, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. “Each year, local businesses and their employees step up to ensure that club members receive a gift or two off their wish list and leave with a smile.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Established in 1974, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County serve children and teens through school-based, neighborhood and community club locations. The nonprofit’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. After-school and summer programs focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation. For more information, please visit BGClee.org or call 239-334-1886.
