THIS WEEK AT THE CHAMBER
LAST CALL FOR CORNHOLE
We have space for a few more teams at Friday's Cornhole Tournament, presented by iBERIABANK. This year we're having it in Downtown Fort Myers next to the Chamber at Florida Repertory Theatre's Outdoor Venue. Check-in is at 1:00PM with tournament play from 2:00-5:00PM. Afterwards, stay for Music Walk downtown! 

$200 per team - includes tournament play for 4 people (2 players, 2 alternates) with lunch and complimentary drinks.

$30 Spectator Ticket available includes lunch and complimentary drinks.
TONIGHT'S LEADERSHIP NEXT - ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!
Leadership NEXT will meet tonight at The Wine Room Fort Myers where they will hear from founder Sarah Newcomb, and Ali Strauss-Eck, from Grazing Haus. Both will share about their entrepreneurial experiences building their businesses.

Leadership NEXT's Annual Sponsor is the Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association. This month's event sponsor is TECO Peoples Gas.

There are only 2 spots available for tonight's event. If you're interested in attending, make your reservation asap!
GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers opened on July 29, 2017 — making it the 33rd GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center across North America and the 2nd in Florida. All of GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers' therapeutic and educational programs and tutoring are free and support all ages, from families with a prenatal diagnosis through adult individuals with Down syndrome. Their programs focus on a variety of skills, including gross and fine motor skills, literacy and math skills, social skills, and confidence–all with the goal of helping individuals with Down syndrome become their best selves.

GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers recently welcomed Kathryn Manz as their new executive director. She has sought to honor her brother’s life by working in the nonprofit and education sectors for over 30 years, and holds undergraduate credentials in literacy development, program management and organizational behavior, and graduate studies in leadership and nonprofit management. Both her work and personal missions have always been about empowerment - including strengthening the voices of those for whom their quiet strength is in their unique place among us. She looks forward to continuing this journey within the GiGi’s Playhouse community.
CHAMBER LUNCHEON: APRIL 28
On April 28 we will discuss all things internships - from development to best practices – to ensure that the opportunities you offer will both challenge and support students as they expand their professional horizons. Our guest speaker is Ashleigh Droz, the Director of the Office of Internships & Cooperative Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University.
 
The event runs from 11:30AM-1:00PM on Wednesday, April 28 at the Crowne Plaza. $25 for Chamber Members, $35 for Future Chamber Members. Masks are required in public areas of the hotel. 
SALVATION ARMY IN NEED OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS
The Salvation Army Lee Hendry & Glades County is seeking donations of feminine hygiene items to help women in our community.

If you are able to help, please bring donated items to either the Chamber office (2310 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, 33901) M-F 10am-4pm, or the Salvation Army Fort Myers Area Command Center (10291 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers, 33919).

You are also welcome to bring any items you wish to donate to a Chamber event during April and May.
CHAMBER COOL CAT OF THE WEEK
Meow, my name is Skittles and I am 11 years old. My mommy and daddy, Randy* and Susan Mitchelson, live at my house. Four years ago, they adopted me as their son when my last mommy died from cancer.
 
People always ask me about my two colored eyes. This is not uncommon for white Turkish Angora cats and I think they're quite distinctive. Another thing most people don't know about me is I am polydactyly meaning I have an extra digit thumb on my front paws so they look like mittens. This helps me with opening doors, catching balls in the air and scooping my own treats out of the box.
 
I like to run and do parkour around the house. Mommy and daddy think I'm nuts. Every day I run excitedly to the door to greet mommy and daddy when they arrive home from work. That always means it's treat time on my outdoor balcony which is my favorite place to be. There are birds, deer, bobcats, turkeys and geckos to spy on or I just cat nap in the outdoor breeze.
 
As an adventurous eater, I enjoy helping them prepare dinner and always curious to try anything they have on their plate. Before I curl up and relax on one of their laps after dinner I like to wind down the day with a little bit of the nip. 

*Randy Mitchelson works for M & M Multimedia. He is very active Chamber member and serves on the Board of Directors and Chamber Ambassadors Committee. He is also part of the Chamber's Path 2 Profits group.
The Chamber reserves the right to reschedule in-person events based on COVID-19 data.