Cameratta News

News-Press, The (Fort Myers, FL)
July 31, 2005

Businesses back Boys & Girls Clubs

Author: Staff
Edition: Fort Myers
Section: Metro
Page: B5

The News-Press staff

When Joe and Dominic Cameratta move their real estate company's headquarters to Fort Myers in the next few weeks, there will be many in the community that already know them through their philanthropy.

Because of Cameratta Properties, 30 underprivileged youths in Lee County were able to spend the summer at the Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp program. The company was one of 48 area businesses that sponsored 92 children for the camp, but the 30 it sponsored were the most from a single entity.

"We've been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs in Cleveland (Ohio) for years as well as the Christian Youth Organization, and when we heard there was significant need in Fort Myers, it was a no-brainer," Chief Financial Officer Dominic Cameratta said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp program reaches out to the business community each year and this year, with the help of Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey, ! the camp was a smashing success, said Shady Oaks Unit Director Keith White.

About 600 kids attended four Lee County locations during the camp that started May 31 and ended Friday. And without the sponsorships, Resource Development Coordinator Erika Tomanek doesn't like to think about what could happen to those kids that may not have been able to attend.

"The summer is a hard time, and this keeps them out of trouble," she said.

Although the price tag doesn't sound too expensive for kids to attend the camp with payment programs as low as $15 per week, it can be a hardship for low-income families, White said, adding the kids are kept busy with activities and field trips from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each weekday.

But it wasn't just the sponsorships of children that helped out the Boys & Girls Clubs this summer. The Lee County School District also had a hand in at least some of the programs.

The Shady Oaks unit on Marion Street in Fort Myers ha! s had problems with mold since June, and the 170 kids in the program a t that unit have been using Lee Middle School during July.

"The school district really stepped out and that really helped us out and the kids," White said, adding they have to be out of there Monday so teachers can move in to prepare for the start of school on Aug. 8.

And, as the summer program wraps up, the Boys & Girls Clubs are preparing to kick it into high gear for the school year. Last weekend a nationwide campaign co-sponsored by Disney stores supplied the Boys & Girls Clubs with backpacks and lunch totes. Locally, the Disney Store in the Edison Mall provided the Lee County club with 24 of them.

And, during the school year, the club provides an affordable after-school program that runs from 2-8 p.m. and provides snacks, activities and homework help to just about anyone who is in need.

"No one is turned away," Tomanek said. "We try to work something out."

CAMP SPONSORS

Mayor Jim & Nancy Humphrey
Cameratta Properties
Barbara Curley
Villa San Souci
Scanlon Auto Group
Lee Memorial Health System
First Community Bank
Metro Transportation Group
Kenneth Walker
Sun Country Realty of Florida
Times of the Island
Marvin & Mary Mentheny
Target Builders
McBLT Ventures Inc.
Dixie Buick GMC Truck
Allyn International Services
Diane Short
Alis Jordan
Judi Durant
Rosane Piret
Casa Ybel Resort Partnership
Community Engineering Services Inc.
Jim Garinger - VIP Commercial
Darlene & Terry Pye
Thomas & Janet Hart
Flordeco
Lorken Publications Inc.
Stultz Inc.
Karen Nathan
Xcel Painting
Ken Bunting Carpentry
Lyons Housing Group
Gay Thompson
Grace Tax Advisory Group
Entech Computer Services
Godfrey P. Santini P.A.
American Wood Frame Inc.
Globa! l Solutions Electronics Company
Family Health Centers
Ho le Montes Inc.
Lennar Homes
Bonita Bay Properties
Marsha Asp
Alico Inc.
D & D Machine & Hydraulics Inc.
TRG Fort Myers Ltd.
Gary Wikes Inc.
Ellsworth Heating & Cooling Inc.

Total number of youth sponsored: 92
Total amount of donations: $11,800

For information or to get involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, contact Erika Tomanek at 334-1886.