Collier County’s Calendar Girls Raise $100k!
April 30, 2021
Darlyne Franklin, Gerrie Benzing, Peggy Monson, Paulette Oliva, Darlene Miller, and Jackie WeinerApril 29th, 2021- Naples, FL. The Naples Players is proud to announce that the “Collier Calendar Girls” calendar launched late last year has raised over $54,000 in sales to fight food insecurity in Collier County.
At the opening night celebration for the production of Calendar Girls, a surprise announcement from Brenda Melton – founder of the Celebrity Martini Glass Auction – took the total raised to over $100,000. Having cancelled last year’s CMGA event, CMGA’s sponsors chose to reallocate their sponsorship funds to support the mission of the Collier Calendar Girls, instead.
“Honestly, I’m both humbled and honored that my innovative and spirited friend Patty Baker included me among the accomplished and philanthropic women featured in the local version of the Calendar Girls” Brenda said. “With that being said, The CMGA, supported by the Community Foundation of Collier County and six of the CMGA’s most loyal sponsors, is pleased to present a matching check for $50,000!”
The CMGA sponsors who made this match possible include:
- Seminole Immokalee Casino
- Renee Gaddis Interiors
- Florida Weekly
- Wellington Group
- JP Morgan
- Cruise Planners
Distributed and collected by the Community Foundation of Collier County, $50,000 of the funds raised have been earmarked for The Naples Senior Center’s food security program; the rest going to other food banks throughout Collier County.
An additional surprise came for The Naples Players when Eileen Connolly-Keesler, CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County, also presented The Naples Players with a $10,000 check for their role in supporting the community during COVID19.
“We’re thrilled to not only re-open the theatre, but to continue to support our community through dynamic partnerships like this one” said Bryce Alexander, CEO & Executive Artistic Director of The Naples Players.
Calendar Girls is sponsored by Naples Senior Center and runs until May 23rd, but is sold out. The “Collier Calendar Girls” Calendar is still for sale to raise funds to combat food insecurity and can be purchased for a suggested donation of $25 at naplesplayers.org/calendargirls
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