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(Fort Myers – June 13, 2012) The Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva recently made a $25,000 donation to the building fund for The Heights Foundation’s Cultural Arts and Community Center. The gift is one of several recent donations that finish the capital campaign to complete construction of the $5.7 million building. Construction will resume in early July. When complete, The Heights Center will be a place for all residents of Harlem Heights to gather and grow. Education, opportunity, health and wellness, and access to the arts will create pathways for self-sufficiency and community development.

“Many of those who live in the Harlem Heights are the backbone of service workers on Sanibel and Captiva Islands,” said John Grey, incoming President of the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva. “Community service is one of the major activities which Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. We believe in helping our neighbors build a better life for their families.”

“We are most grateful to this outstanding community organization. Because of their support, we will resume construction of the building in early July,” said Heights Foundation Founder and Executive Director, Kathryn Kelly.

About the Heights Foundation

The Heights Foundation is a 501(c)3 grassroots organization that works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. The Foundation’s mission is to promote family and community development, support education, health and wellness, and provide the benefits of enrichment, expressive and cultural arts.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 1,200 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 55% Hispanic, 36% African-American, and 9% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.