Fort Myers Florida Weekly

Wine and food fest ‘Painting a Difference’ in 2020


Co-chairs Brooke Denson and Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist with young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. COURTESY PHOTO

Co-chairs Brooke Denson and Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist with young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. COURTESY PHOTO

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. is bringing a splash of color to the Southwest Florida community with the theme of its 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, “Painting a Difference.”

Celebrating its 12th year, the 2020 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will take place Feb. 21-22. Held in the vibrant setting of Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, the colorful, paint-themed event will bring the community together in support of SWFL Children’s Charities Inc.’s mission to save children’s lives and advance pediatric health care across the region.

Brooke Denson and Sandy Stilwell- Youngquist have been appointed chairpersons of the 2020 event, leading the wine fest in its focus of Putting Kids First.

“We are looking forward to another impactful event in support of our region’s growing pediatric health care system,” said Ms. Stilwell- Youngquist. “Through our annual wine fest and the boundless generosity of its attendees, SWFL Children’s Charities has donated nearly $23 million for health care services and education throughout Southwest Florida over the past 11 years. Together we can paint a brighter future for our children, one brushstroke at a time.”

The two-day Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest will feature Chef Vintner Dinners on Friday, Feb. 21, creatively hosted in private luxury homes across the region. Guests will experience artful cuisine created by celebrated chefs and expertly paired with vintners from some of the finest and most exclusive wineries.

Festivities continue with The Grand Tasting and Live Auction on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, where guests will savor chefs’ signature creations and taste wines from participating vintners. Guests will raise their paddles during a spirited live auction for the opportunity to take home spectacular travel escapes, once-in-a-lifetime experiences or to help fund a children’s cause.

Funds raised at the auction will benefit SWFL Children’s Charities Inc.’s efforts to provide lifesaving care, educational programs and lasting solutions that enable a secure future for the children of Southwest Florida. Proceeds will support pediatric health care services at Golisano Children’s Hospital, as well as pediatric health care educational programs at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College.

“It’s all about the children — they are the reason we are here,” Ms. Denson added. “We are all in this together, and if you have the same passion as we do for painting a difference for the children in our community, we hope you will raise your paddle and join us in making 2020 a great year.”

For more information: www.swflwinefest.org. ¦

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