Published July 31, 2005

The News-Press

Businesses back Boys & Girls Clubs

The News-Press Staff

Metro, B5

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 youth 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 and 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 have not 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 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 had a problem with mold since June, and 170 kids in the program at 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 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 Metheny
• Target Builders
• McBLT Ventures Inc.
• Dixie Buick GMC Truck
• Allyn International Services
• Diane Short
• 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.
• Global 1 Solutions Electronics Company
• Family Health Centers
• Hole 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.