Guest Commentary: Hookers 14th Annual ‘Island Luau’ generates $22,900 for Beacon of Hope’s Senior Programs
We are proud and honored to announce that the Island Luau, held on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, at the St James City Civic Center, despite the terrible weather and some food not being delivered, it was a great success. WHY? Because Pine Island ROCKs and dances in the rain. The response from the Pine Island Community and NW Cape Coral was AWESOME!
Please mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Island Luau Event, which will be held again on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027, at the St James City Civic Center.
The two checks totaling $22,900 were given to Nancy Cote, executive director of The Beacon of Hope, Monday, April 13, at the Matlacha Hookers General Meeting at the American Legion Post 136, in St. James City.
It takes a village to pull off a large event, pictured are many Matlacha Hookers with Executive Director Nancy Cote. Proceeds from the luau for $16,900 for Senior Programs like Beacon Bites, Beacon Buggy and other services Seniors need on Pine Island.
We want to express a big thank you to everyone who helped. Thank you to the more than 50 volunteers from our Matlacha Hookers organization, who made this event a success.
We are also so thankful for the more than 150 Pine Island and Cape Coral area businesses and families that donated items to the silent auction and money to offset the costs of running the event.
Sponsors:
Davie Shoring, Artesian Pool Construction, Bakers Heating and Air Conditioning, Caldwell Banker Dockside, Kickstand Pub & Grub, Pineshine Farms, Slipway Food Truck Park & Marina, Leigh and Eugenie Andrews, American Legion Auxiliary Post 136, Ted Bluey, Bo and Linda Bohacek, Tom and Joyce Boyer, Marian Horgan, Gerard Tree Service, Honc Industries, JMC Landscaping, Land and Sea Cruise Planners. Onofrio D Oro Fine Jewelry Boutique, Pine Island Community Church, Pine Island Pools, Brady and Christy Rau, W Yacht York Road Marine, Bobber’s Bait & Tackle, Heron Air Conditioning, Greater Pine Island Elks, Jeter Chiropractic Health Centers, NAPA Pine Island Auto, Pelletier Rickert Physical Therapy, Pine Island Moose Lodge 1954, Pine Island Tax and Accounting Company, Spyrnal Financial Group and Yogaz.
Donors:
John and Nancy Rogge, Blue Dog Bar and Grill, Footprints in the Sand, Donae DeJaco, Dr. Watson’s Liquor, Phuzzy’s Boat Shack, Sweeney’s SOS, Angler’s Inn, Randell Research Center, Kellie Cantleberry-Simpson, Beth Sowers, Lorie Tidwell, Mullethead Outfitters, Fat Boy Tikis, Paula Cooper, D & D Bait and Tackle, Material Green, Sandy Kerr, Barbara Pelton, SeaSalt Company, Uni-Scapes Landscaping, Bonnie Ruppert, Beacon of Hope, Linda and Bo Bohacek, Calusa Bug Spray, Melissa Downs, Cheryl Neary, Chris Buntin, Beth Nelson, Island Exchange Realty, Kirsten King, JMC Entertainment, Carol Johnson, Monica Lee, John Michaels Diamond & Jewelry Studio, Wendy Pattison, Perfect Cup, Pine Island Gentlemen’s Society, Stella Maries Italian Market, Torched Grill, Salty Paws Dog Bakery, Anna Vankirk, Outback Steak House, Blue Dog Bar and Grill, Cosita’s Gourmet, Crumbl Cookies, CW Fudge Factory, Froggy’s, Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, House of Omelets, Kickstand’s Pub & Grub, Lazy Flamingo, Luciano’s Pizza, Miceli’s, Mister Car Wash, Monroe Canal Marina, Outback Steakhouse, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, Papa John’s Pizza, Phuzzy’s Boat Shack, Pine Island Pizza, Salty Girls Island Grill, Spots Ice Cream, Crepes, and Sauces, Street Eatz & Ale, The Eagles Nest, The Mix on Pine Island, The Waterfront Restaurant & Marina, Yucatan, Zirilli’ s Chilly Treats, Zoe’s Going Bananas, Blue Day Spa, Bruce Todd Salons, Robin Cohen, LMT, Envy Salon Natalie’s Skin Solutions, Oz Nails & Spa, Pine Island Nail Spa, Pine Island Massage, Razzle Dazzle, Signature Nails, Trader’s Hitching Post, Chuck’s Auto Repair Service, Island Bikeworks, Pine Island Feed & Garden Center, St. James Automotive, Ship Shape Laundry, Napa Pine Island Auto, Bobber’s Bait & Tackle, D Bait & Tackle, Leoma Lovegrove, Matlacha Menagerie, Footprints in the Sand Shoe Gallery, Yogaz, Camp Cody, Cape Royal Golf Club, Captain Brooks Forbis, Captain Cathy Eagles, El Rio Golf Club, Escape the Cape Escape Room, Florida Everblades, Fishin-Dips Kayak, Fishing Guide, LLC, Jill Filgut, Gulf Coast Symphony, IMAG (Imaginarium), Key West Express, Lumiere Cosmetic Vein Center, Matlacha Outfitters, Matlacha Wellness Center, Kim Crouthamel, Starfish Designs Florida, Mara Balodis, Michael Mohnack, Linda Solinger, Juli Gilson and Debbie Riggio
If you would like to participate in our RECYCLE PROGRAM, please consider donating your silent auction basket to us for next year’s event. Simply drop it off at Traders Hitching Post in Matlacha.
The Matlacha Hookers is a 501(c)(3) woman’s charitable non-profit organization. Our organization has over 200 members from Matlacha and the Greater Pine Island area, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. For more information, see our website at www.matlachahookers.org.