Celebrating the season of giving at Holiday House
The holidays have long been considered a time for giving and a time of hope for many individuals and this year, this concept has been taken further with a special fund raiser to benefit Pine Islander’s this holiday season and throughout the year. Residents and visitors to the Pine Island area will have an opportunity to give something to the community and get a rare peek at a unique property, view a large collection of work from two local artists and meet and greet two area book authors with a visit to the Beacon of HOPE Holiday House.
An $8 donation allows visitors a tour of the model condominium at Porpoise Point in Matlacha and take in a splendid view of Matlacha Pass. Dressed up for the holidays, the Holiday House is adored with artwork from two award-winning island artists, Mel Meo and Leoma Lovegrove.
“I have agreed to participate in the Holiday House fund raiser because I believe that it is important to giving art for the benefit of all is good,” said Meo. “I also support the Beacon of HOPE because I think it is the best cause on the island.”
The majority of the works by Meo are displayed on the third floor level of the tri-level condo. Images that spark visions of island life are seen in both wall art and functional pieces.
Also participating, Leoma Lovegrove also hopes that by having her work on display will encourage others to give this holiday season.
“The Holiday House is a great way to let the people of Matlacha and Pine Island embrace what the Beacon is and what is does for our community. This is one organization that continues to reach out to those in need,” Lovegrove said. “I encourage everyone to reach out this holiday by coming out and supporting the Beacon by visiting the Holiday House.”
The concept of the Holiday House fund raiser was developed by Beacon staff member Perri Giafaglione.
“The Beacon of HOPE Holiday House concept is one that I had seen other organizations due very successfully so I put my ideas together and presented them to the Beacon Board who all agreed it was a good idea,” Giafaglione said “We were able to get two great local artists who actually produced work specifically for this show as well as two very generous island authors to display their books and do signings for us.”
The two participating authors are Matlacha resident Robert Macomber and St. James City resident,Mary Kaye Stevens.
According to Giafaglione, this also is a great opportunity for people to come and get holiday decorating ideas and to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks while making a donation to the Beacon of HOPE.
The Holiday House will be open for public viewing through Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. Award winning Matlacha author, Robert Macomber will be present to discuss and sign copies of his latest addition to the Honor Series. Then on Saturday, Dec. 11, Mel Meo will return to the Holiday House from 6 to 8 p.m. with her “Mullet Wagon” to serve up fried mullet. All of the artists and authors participating during the fund-raising event have allocated 10 percent of their sales from Holiday House to the Beacon of HOPE as well.
Tickets for tours of the Holiday House are available at the Beacon of HOPE located at 5465 Pine Island Road as well as Southwest Capital Bank and SunTrust Bank. For more information, call the Beacon at 283-5123.