Vinnie and Joe Miceli donate $10,000 to two local charities
Vinnie and Joe Miceli, owners of Miceli’s Restaurant, donated a total of $10,000 to two local charities Wednesday. From Our Hearts and Wounded Warrior Angler’s each received checks for $5,000.
Miceli’s Restaurant is celebrating its sixth year in business.
“The whole reason we opened Miceli’s in Matlacha was to be a part of this awesome community,” Vinnie said. “We’ve had a lot of success here and we wanted to give back to our community.
“We’re from Connecticut originally,” he said. “When I started working in the family restaurant, I wasn’t interested in college but after working a few years my parents made me go to college.I got my business degrees specializing in marketing, management, economics and accounting. I have to say that what I learned in college helps me every single day.”
Vinnie and Joe Micelis’ parents retired to Southwest Florida in 2001. Within the next three to four years, both sons moved to the Gulf Coast.
“We opened a restaurant on Fort Myers Beach and were there for 3-1/2 years,” Vinnie said. “But we were renting the building and the off season was killing us. When we learned that this building was available we jumped on it.”
“Our philosophy from the beginning has been to give back to the community,” Joe said. “And throughout the year we sponsor as many events as we can. From Our Hearts, Wounded Warrior Angler’s and lots of others have their events here. So we help local organizations in that way.”
“We’ve always wanted to have a business where the community knows we’re a part of it,” Joe said. “Too many businesses just take from their community and never give back. We’ve had six successful years and every year is better than the last.”
The Micelis have known Mary Scott (From Our Hearts) and Dave and Judy Souders (Wounded Warrior Angler’s) almost since opening the business.
“There are so many organizations here that are doing great work,” Vinnie said. “We believe that with these organizations the money will go where it’s meant to go to by helping women receive breast exams and mammograms and, of course, helping our veterans.”
From Our Hearts is a 501c3 non-profit organization that raises funds to provide breast cancer screening and treatment (at no cost) for eligible persons in the Greater Pine Island/Matlacha area. FOH is united with Partners for Breast Cancer Care and Regional Cancer Center, Lee Memorial Health System.
“This $5,000 translates into much needed financial assistance for so many more people that need breast cancer screening and treatment,” From Our Heart president Mary Scott said. “Every dollar we raise is donated to Partners for Breast Cancer Care and Regional Cancer Center/Lee Memorial Health System to be used only for residents of the Greater Pine Island area.”
The Wounded Warrior Angler’s of America mission is to help rehabilitate the mind, body and soul of all service members who have been injured in the line of duty no matter what their era of service.
“This $5,000 will go a long way to help us provide for many more Wounded Warriors,” Wounded Warrior co-founder Judy Souders said. “Warriors with PTSD and other stress-related illnesses plus stress management by getting them on the water, fishing and de-stressing.”
“We are truly blessed to have such an amazing business, such a hard working staff and last but not least the best customers in the world,” Vinnie said. “Our commitment to being a part of this community and giving back will continue as long as we are here.”