Taking place the week before Mother’s Day, the Bonita Springs Club, along with other Zonta Clubs from our area, will join with hundreds of women from Southwest Florida to hammer, paint, sweep–whatever it takes–to renovate a home for this Mom in need who is working hard to raise her family.

“Our Club is dedicated to improving the lives of local women and while over the years we have donated thousands of dollars and countless service hours to projects helping local women, this effort by far will have the most profound, direct positive impact of any. Giving this Bonita Mom a safe, virtually new home will mean the world to her and provide a sound, stable foundation for a better future life for herself and her family,” says Patty Gift, Club President.

“But to make this dream come true, the Club needs help from the local community. We cannot do it ourselves. Our fundraising goal is $50,000 and if you can look into your heart and donate whatever you can afford, together we can put the life of this family on tract to a bright future,” says Ms. Gift.

To learn more about the project, make a donation and earn the right to volunteer to be a part of this effort, please visit http://habitat4humanity.donorpages.com/WomenBuild2012/ZontaBonitaSprings/. You may also contact Ann Musselman, Chair of the Club’s UN-Service Initiatives Committee, who is leading this project at ann@golfexpress.org or 239-297-2926.

This is the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has sponsored the Women Build project, an effort to provide a deserving family with to safe, decent, affordable housing. Last year, 178 women contributed the funds and another 40 did the work to renovate a house. This year the organization hopes to provide three homes—two in Cape Coral and the one in Bonita Springs.

If you are a local non-profit with an innovative program that can make a difference in the struggle to combat violence against area women, support education opportunities for females of all ages or provide healthcare to women who cannot afford it, the Zonta Club of Bonita Springs, Inc. would like to hear from you. The Club is now accepting grant and volunteer service hour request applications from area non-profits working in these critical areas of concern.

The Club has also opened the application process for its annual scholarship awarded to an area woman continuing her education in the fields of math, science or business.

The deadline for grant applications is 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2012 while the deadline for the applications for the scholarship application is Friday,
March 23, 2012. Requests for volunteer service hours are accepted all year.

The application forms for each of these categories can be found under the Scholarships & Grants tab. If you have a project that would fit these areas of concern or have questions, please contact the Chair of the Club’s Grant Committee, Denese Mattrey, at dmattrey@embarqmail.com or 239-989-3453.

“We are proud to be able to grant funds for exciting projects to local groups working in these three critical areas of concern that are the major focus of our Club—violence against women, education and scholarship and health. Over the years, we have awarded more than $100,000 in such grants and scholarships It is very clear that the funds presented and the service hours we contribute make a real difference in the lives of women right here in our own community,” says Patty Gift, Club President.

Funds for the grants to combat violence come from the proceeds of the Third Annual Glass Slipper Ball featuring The Best of the Chefs held November 18th at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. More than 300 guests attended the gala featuring signature hors d’oeuvres and dazzling desserts prepared by the top chefs in Southwest Florida, exciting live and silent auctions, the popular Mystery Bags, a Basket of Cheer and dancing to music provided by the Brett Foreman Band.

This past June, the Club awarded nearly $14,000 in grants to six local non-profits working to protect area girls and women from violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking. The projects selected work with females of all ages, from elementary school age on and concentrate on promoting self-esteem, imparting the knowledge and skills to avoid violence as well as compassionately dealing with the trauma and scars that result from being a victim of abuse. Each plays an important role in the lives of those served and make a positive difference in our community.

At the same meeting, the Club also awarded scholarships of $2,000 each to two dynamic and talented area women—one of whom aspires to become a pediatrician and the other a registered nurse. Funds for the scholarships come from the proceeds of the Club’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon held each spring. Over the past three years, the Club has awarded scholarships to four area women continuing their education in math, science or business fields which reflect the career of Amelia Earhart, the most famous member of Zonta International.

In August, the Club presented health grants of $2,000 each to Lymphedema Resources Inc. of Estero and Partners for Breast Cancer of Ft. Myers. These funds are the proceeds from our Club’s summer Hurricane Par-Tee Golf Tournament which benefits local healthcare charities serving underinsured and noninsured women.

After tasting fabulous hors d’oeuvres and scrumptious desserts prepared by the best chefs Southwest Florida has to offer, guests at the Third Annual Glass Slipper Ball had a hard decision to make. But in the end, they voted The Capital Grille for the second year in a row as the People’s Choice Best Overall award.

In a hard-fought contest between the 19 chefs who participated in the Ball, sponsored by the Zonta Club of Bonita Springs, Inc. to raise funds to fight violence against women, guests also voted Solo Chef, Inc. Personal Chef & Catering Services as serving the Best Appetizer and Irresistible Confections the Best Dessert. The Ball was held last Friday (November 18, 2011) at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.

The Capital Grille delighted guests with Kona Crusted Filet Mignon with Caramelized Shallot Butter and Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese. Solo Chef served Chicken and Waffles with our Own Twist while Irresistible Confections presented an Assortment of Truffles, Chocolate Champagne Mousse and Cabernet Sipping Chocolate.

“This was an amazing, successful event, a truly magical evening,” says Patty Gift, Club President. “The chefs, who so generously donated their services, prepared some of the finest bites and desserts I have ever tasted. Our 300 plus guests thoroughly enjoyed our beautiful Glass Slipper inspired decorations, our lovely pumpkin coach, the fantastic silent and live auction items and the great dance music provided by the Brett Foreman Band.

“Importantly, as a result, we are going to be able to award substantial grants to local non-profits who work hard to protect area women from all forms of violence including domestic and sexual abuse and human trafficking.

“This all would not have been possible without the outstanding support we received from companies who sponsored this special evening and those who contributed auction items and stunning floral decorations including Occasions of Naples, Driftwood Garden Center, The Ritz Carlton Resort of Naples and Whole Foods.

“The evening exceeded our expectations and we could not have done it without the tremendous community support we received. We particularly need to thank Comcast Spotlight, our Gold Sponsor; CamTell Multimedia, our Silver Sponsor; and Gulfshore Business, the Naples Daily News and Pinnacle Vodka, our Bronze sponsors,” says Ms. Gift. “We also need to thank the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort and its staff for hosting our Ball and for their assistance and all the hard work they put into ensuring our event went smoothly and was a success.”

During the Ball, Trish Leonard, a prominent area businesswoman, who for the past 30 years has tirelessly given from her heart supporting local charitable and civic causes, was honored as the Club’s 2011-2012 Woman of the Year. Ms. Leonard is a past Club President, Director of Marketing for Florida Gulf Coast University’s Small Business Development Center Office (SBDC) and President of TLC Marketing and Creative Services, her own firm.

The shimmering Glass Slipper holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow and the fulfillment of dreams. If you want to help that magic come true, then make plans to attend the Third Annual Glass Slipper Ball featuring The Best of the Chefs set for Friday, November 18, 2011 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. This glamorous event is dedicated to raising funds to help victims of violence against women.

As part of an enchanting evening, top area chefs will create gourmet hors d’oeuvres and fabulous desserts at the Glass Slipper Ball sponsored by the Zonta Club of Bonita Springs, Inc. The evening will also feature the presentation of Trish Leonard, the Club’s Woman of the Year; dancing into the night with entertainment by the popular “Brett Foreman Band;” tempting live and silent auction items, mystery gift bags and much more.

“Our Glass Slipper Balls are elegant and exciting and not to be missed. Each year, large crowds have enjoyed the sumptuous food presented by our outstanding chefs, dancing under the stars and bidding on such unique and exciting auction items as an African safari, breathtaking jewelry and amazing gift certificates,” says Patty Gift, Club President.

“Most importantly, as a result, the Club has awarded more than $25,000 to local nonprofits working with area women of all ages to combat domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking. We are making a difference, improving the lives of victims of violence and helping to see that this terrible pattern of abuse in our community is ended. We want to do more and those attending or making a donation will help us achieve that goal,” says Ms. Gift.

To date, chefs from some of Southwest Florida’s favorite restaurants will be participating including: Agave Southwestern Grille, Angelina’s Ristorante, Bice Naples, Blue Martini, Coconut Jack’s, Irresistible Confections, Mikkelsen’s Pastry Shop, M Waterfront Grille, Pagelli’s, Ritz Global, Roy’s Downtown Naples, Solo Chef Catering & Events, The Capital Grille and Whole Foods.

A variety of sponsorships are available for this “season starter” that provides an exceptional opportunity to earn visibility with 400 guests and business and community leaders. The major sponsors of this year’s Ball are the award winning Whirlwind Media Services located in Bonita Springs, Comcast Spotlight, Gulfshore Business, the Naples Daily News and Pinnacle Vodka.

The Best of the Chefs

Friday, November 18, 2011
Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples

Cocktail Attire or Black Tie Optional

6 pm – 9 pm

Signature Hors d’oeuveres and Desserts from
more than a Dozen Top Chefs

9 pm – 11 pm

Dance into the night with The Brett Foreman Band

Enjoy live and silent auctions, mystery gifts bags and much more!

Tickets – $100 per person
Early-bird pricing of $850 for a table for 10 available until October 31, 2011

Glass Slipper Ball Tickets

Single Ticket $100.00 Two Tickets $200.00 Three Tickets $300.00 Four Tickets $400.00 Early Bird Table of Ten; Deadline October 31, 2011 $850.00

 

Trish Leonard, 2011 Woman of the Year

Trish Leonard, a prominent area businesswoman, who for the past 30 years has tirelessly given from her heart supporting local charitable and civic causes, is the Zonta Club of Bonita Spring’s 2011 Woman of the Year.

A former president of the Club and leader of countless business groups and nonprofit fundraising efforts, Ms. Leonard will officially be presented her award during the Club’s Third Annual Glass Slipper Ball set for Friday November 18, 2011 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. She will serve as honorary co-chair of this fabulous event featuring signature hor d’oeuvres and desserts from top area chefs, dancing and silent and live auctions all to raise funds to fight violence against women.

“Trish is the perfect choice for this award. During her years with our Club, she enthusiastically led our efforts to better the lives of women throughout our area and globally. She is a compassionate woman, always the first to help when a need arises, and always has the best interest of women at heart,” says Patty Gift, Club President.

“She is a dynamo of a woman with endless energy and a positive, can-do attitude. She gives 110% of her energy and always achieves her goals with professionalism and good humor. She proves again and again that women accomplish so much and make a tremendous positive difference in our community. She is a perfect role model for area women and through her example will surely encourage others to become involved in civic and fundraising events.” says Ms. Gift.

Director of Marketing for Florida Gulf Coast University’s Small Business Development Center Office (SBDC) and President of TLC Marketing and Creative Services, her own firm, Ms. Leonard is well known for leading the initial funding efforts for the Ronald McDonald House at Health Park in Southwest Lee County, creating the Pennies from the Heart campaign. She also was instrumental in the Love That Dress! — a fundraising event for the PACE Center for Girls.  She is the founder of the Commercial Sales Industry Professionals of Southwest Florida (CSIP) and is known to many for her years of service as the membership director for the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce.

As a result of her deep community involvement, Ms. Leonard has won many honors including most recently, the Small Business Development Center, Regional Employee of the Year 2011, awards from the Public Relations Association of Southwest Florida; N Magazine, Woman of Style, 2008 and Woman of Distinction, 2007.

Currently, Ms. Leonard serves as President of the European American Network; Vice Chair of City of Bonita Springs Arts in Public Places Board, Board Member of the Speakers Assembly of SW FL; Committee Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Naples 2011 Golf Tournament; Member of the Art League of Bonita Springs; and affiliate member of BEAR-Bonita/Estero Association of Realtors.

Starting with a champagne toast, the event will honor the major contributions and positive impact the Club has had on our local community since its forming in 1994. Guests will learn about the Club’s focus on fighting violence against women, promoting education and scholarship for area females of all ages, and providing health care for local women who cannot afford it.

During the meeting, the Club will also award grants to area nonprofits providing health care to local women who cannot afford it. The funds were proceeds from the Club’s June Hurricane Par-Tee golf tournament.

“I am so proud of our Club. Over the years we have grown and matured and sharpened our focus on our central mission of improving the lives of women locally and globally. We have awarded thousands of dollars to local charities helping women and dedicated thousands of hours to related service projects,” says Patty Gift, Club President.

“It has been a thrilling and exciting journey. We are an amazing group of women dedicated to our cause—and to also building fellowship and having fun. If you are searching for a way to get involved and help make life better for fellow females, then please come and learn first hand what a great group of women we are,” says Ms. Gift.