Hosted by
Shine hosts are State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka and Lizbeth Benacquisto.
They are joined by committee members Rebekah Barney, Noelle Branning, Rachel Busch, Lillian Canfield, Zannon Garza, Laurie Moore, Amy Thibaut, and Vanessa Tyler!
Cause
For forty years, Hope has been a safety net for Southwest Florida. Community support helps provide care for those who are in life’s final chapter, for all who are grieving, and for seriously ill children and their families. To learn more about how donations benefit the mission of Hope, please visit More Hope.
“Many don’t realize how much Hope relies on funds raised from events like Shine. It is only with the community’s support that we are able to provide Hope for everyone who needs our care.”
– Samira K. Beckwith, President & CEO of Hope
The impact of Shine
Dollars raised at the inaugural Shine event supported care for children living with complex medical conditions and support for their families. Donations also provided grief counseling to children from low-income families.
The Shine funds raised provided:
Erica
As Erica began spending more time in bed, her senses became increasingly important to her. She worried that she wouldn’t be able to learn to play the piano, which had been a long-held ambition of hers. One of Hope’s music therapists designed the perfect solution. Erica received a lap piano that she could play from bed. All the keys were marked with different colors to help with her vision problems. In her excitement to learn, Erica soon mastered multiple songs, to the delight of her care team.
Sophia
At seven years old, Sophia was receiving bereavement counseling services from Hope after the loss of her father. A Hope volunteer-created “Personal Treasures” – a bear and pillow sewn from the fabric of one of her father’s shirts. Her mother, Alana, said, “I have never seen Sophia fall asleep like this before – so fast and in this position. Thank you.”
(Safety note: The car was parked.)
Caleb
After the sudden loss of his father, 14-year-old Caleb was in an unsettling spiral of grief. To help understand his deep sadness and confusion, Caleb signed up for the annual Rainbow Trails camp. Rainbow Trails Camp breaks down the isolation young people experience from a sudden loss, helping kids know they are not alone in their grief. Sharing his story at camp helped Caleb feel stronger. “I’m still confused why this happened, but I’m not so angry anymore,” Caleb said.
Shine Bright
This fall, there will be another opportunity to Shine! Bid on this stunning 9-karat sapphire ring from an anonymous donor. Appraised at almost $50,000, Hope will be auctioning this ring in the fall. If you’d like to receive details about the auction for this stunning piece, contact us.
Sponsors
