FORT MYERS, Fla. — #GivingTuesday is a way to shop and support local businesses and non-profit organizations. Pure Florida is partnering with Florida Repertory Theatre and Edison and Ford Winter Estates to keep holiday dollars in the Fort Myers community as a part of the national day.
Organizer Merry Coffman of Pure Florida said it’s a way to showcase the city.
“So that we could say look at what a great place Downtown Fort Myers is,” she said.
Coffman said it’s the perfect time to participate in #GivingTuesday in the heart of season.
“[We can] really create amazing experiences. Not only for the people who live here and get to work here and play here, but also for all the visitors who come here from around the world,” she said.
Here’s what their #GivingTuesday partnership offers. People who donate a $50 donation to Ford and Winter Estates will receive a $20 certificate to Pure Florida for sight seeing and boat riding in Fort Myers and Naples. The $20 dollar certificate is also for people who donate $25 or more to the Florida Repertory Theatre.
Coffman said it’s an opportunity to help everyone in Southwest Florida.
“They do year-round educational programming that benefits people of all ages so we really want to promote this and encourage people to donate to these amazing organizations.>
Coffman added traffic slowed down for Southwest Florida businesses this year because of blue-green algae and red tide. So, this is one more way for local businesses to push forward and help each other out after the water crises.
“We had a couple of bumps in the road this past year, and we really started coming together as a community to work well together and to promote each other,” she said.
“When we come together as a community, we all win,” said Neil Curiel with Florida Repertory Theatre. He added donations will benefit a lot of people in Southwest Florida.
“The Florida Repertory sees over 97,000 people annually. And we actually have an education program that goes out and reaches over 34,000 kids. So, it’s not just the people in downtown, it’s the people throughout the community that really can benefit.,” he said.
To donate to Florida Repertory Theatre visit:
https://www.floridarep.org/donate/individual-support
To donate to Edison and Ford Winter Estates visit:
