Addiction center gets big gift

Southwest Florida Addiction Services has received a pledge of $100,000 from David and Linda Lucas in support of its capital campaign to build a new Detoxification Center and Outpatient Treatment Facility.

The gift is made in honor of Peter and Eleanore Kleist, who are well known for their philanthropic support of local charities as well as colleges and universities throughout the world. The funds will be used for the Public Education Room of the new building, which will be named in honor of the Kleists.

The new Detoxification Center and Outpatient Treatment Center is under construction on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers adjacent to Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center.

"We are very grateful to David and Linda Lucas for recognizing the importance of providing treatment for residents with the chronic disease of addiction, which impacts one in five people in our community," said SWFAS CEO Kevin B. Lewis.

SWFAS now has raised more than $6.1 million toward the $9.5 million cost of the new facility. Other major gifts have been received from the Lee County Commission, State Housing Initiatives Program, U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Lee Memorial Health System, Claiborne and Ned Foulds Foundation and Gannett Foundation as well as individual gifts.

The new 40-bed Detoxification Center is located on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a long-term lease. The 44,000 square foot facility also will include a wing for outpatient counseling and prevention offices now located on McGregor Boulevard as well as administrative staff.