Belk gives back to community; FOP receives check for $2,500
Have you ever shopped in a national store when they had a sales promotion for one of your favorite causes and wondered if any results would make its way back to your community? The members of Pine Island-based From Our Hearts recently received an answer to this question when they were presented with a $2,500 check from Belk at the Cape Coral Store.
Along with the check presentation, Belk was presented with an appreciation plaque from FOH and members of the organization greeted shoppers to encourage breast cancer screening and provide information about care programs available. In past years, Cape Coral High School was also a recipient of a similar donation.
There are more than 300 Belk stores spread across the southern states. Thousands of donation requests are received by Belk from the communities that house these stores. When asked how a small organization like From Our Hearts on a small community like Pine Island was recognized, Corliss Kazemba, manager of the Belk store in Cape Coral, explained that “Belk is family owned and operated and their goal is to give relentless customer care and be a part of the community. When the Cape Coral store opened the staff was expected to act like they were moving into a new house and get to know their new neighbors.” And Belk accomplished this with the activities like more than 25 fashions shows sponsored this year and in-store promotions like the one scheduled in February for the American Heart Association.
From our Hearts is an organization of volunteers who raise funds for breast cancer care. The funds it raises at events are granted to Partners for Breast Cancer and Lee Cancer Care to provide screenings and treatments for eligible persons on Greater Pine Island that are battling breast cancer. From Our Hearts provided 151 mammograms and have seen a 30 percent increase in services this year.
When asked by Corliss how this money was going to be used, Wayne DeMeyere, an active member of From Our Hearts, said, “This will provide 30 mammograms which is so important for early detection.”
For more information on the From Our Hearts organization and receiving help, visit its web site at www.fromourheart.org.