Summer camp at the North Fort Myers Community Park and Center will start on June 4, with many more children being able to enjoy the fun because of the local Orioles organization.
Members of the North Fort Myers Fraternal Order of the Orioles Nest 301 presented a check this week to county officials for camp scholarships.
Funds were raised by both the Men's and Women's Auxiliaries of the Nest.
"The funds we are donating for camp came from our Rock In-Throttle event, which is one of our biggest events every year," said Kenny "Bones" Cox. "It is always a great time with a lot of support from the community. This is our third year doing the event and fund raising for the North Fort Myers park camp.
"Between the Women's and Men's Auxiliaries we raised $1,300, with more to come for the park's Fall Festival," he said.
Key officials include Women's Auxiliary members Sandi Walts, Sandy Mack and Cheryl Lucas (incoming president) and Cox and Doug Pedigo.
"We really appreciate organizations like the Orioles who come out to help out the local community in North Fort Myers," said NFM Community Center senior recreation specialist James Pittro. "Right now, all of the scholarships have been designated, but we are still accepting children to come to camp."
The Orioles are well known locally for their charitable work, including sponsoring local families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, with past fund raising events including poker runs and supporting Cape Coral soldier Corey Kent, as well as their yearly support of the summer camps.
Summer camp will start on June 4 and run through July, and Pittro will be working with senior recreation specialist Jennifer Valez.
"We've got things every week - skating, bowling, going to the pool and more. We're also going to be doing programs at the library, and the big field trips will be the Naples Zoo and The King Richard's Fun Park. There's other things that are still coming, being finalized now."
Look for announcements of Orioles fund raisers for the Fall Festival.
"We are now looking for organizations like the Orioles who would like to help us for the upcoming fall Festival which will be held Oct. 26; it's always the Friday before Halloween," said Pittro. "We want to make it bigger and better this year.
"I'd also like to personally thank Kenny Cox from the organization, who always donates extra time and patience to organize the donations."
The North Fort Myers Fraternal Order of the Orioles Nest 301 is at 13290 North Cleveland Ave. They are still accepting donations, and welcome new members.
For more information on summer camps or the Fall Festival, call The North Fort Myers Community Park Recreation Center at 652-4512.
