Pine Lakes community holds Candlelighters event
From pirates to puppeteers, to firemen and face painters, dozens and dozens of volunteers from the Pine Lake community, the North Fort Myers community, businesses and organizations gathered to give the children of Candlelighters a great day.
The Candlelighters’ purpose is to provide support, education and opportunities for children who have, or are in remission from, cancer or blood-related illnesses. It also gives their family members and the kids an opportunity to meet, share, and support one another.
All services are cost free to registered members of Candlelighters.
There were more than 100 children and their families Saturday at the Pine Lakes Community, riding fire trucks, golf carts, fishing and enjoying great crafts, food and more at the event.
It is the day, organizers said, to let children have a lot of fun, and their parents to relax.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” said Candlelighters Executive Director Klair Snellbaker.
Children come from all over Lee County for the event. One young lady was Rachel Seals, from Lehigh Acres, who said, “This is my fifth year here for the picnic. It’s fun, a blast. And I enjoy meeting new friends.”
She posed for a picture with Capt. Stich, a.k.a. Tim Pratt, a North Fort Myers community resident, who has been known as the “Peg-legged Pirate of Key West” for many years. He has been volunteering the last several years and brings his blue and gold macaw, Honeybell, who likes children, pizza, and spreading good cheer with her pirate buddy at the annual event.
Even Ronald McDonald showed up, as a sponsor of his company, and spent time with their own chief cook, Sharon Randeau.
Organizer Nilda Monks, along with long-time volunteer husband Joe, thanked Randeau and her crew, along with the Pine Lakes Men’s and Ladies Clubs. “They have again been very generous this year. This in not done by just a few people; it is a community effort to give the kids a great day.
“Affordable Golf Carts also gives us the carts and a donation for the food, year after year,” she said.
There are too many others to name, but they do include the North Fort Myers Fire District and the Lee County Sheriff’s office and V.O.I.C.E. officers to name a few.
“Also, the ladies who do a bake sale at the event include Shirley Williams and Joann Gluck,” Monks said.
Skylar Torres and his sister Megan, with mom Shannon Randolph, actually got to see the inner workings of a fire truck, with Nick Libretto, who bought his own fire truck for a new cause called Fire Fighters Fighting Cancer.
Libretto, who actually purchased a real fire truck, also made children smile at the event.
Libretto has started a nonprofit foundation called Fire Fighters Fighting Cancer with a mission to “fight back the wildfires of cancer” by making a fire truck available for fundraising to fight the disease.
He gave children a ride in the fire truck he purchased himself. “I know six people in the last 18 months who have passed away from cancer, and I wanted to do something.” He is supported by numerous organizations to let children have their dream of riding in a real fire truck.
Local resident Karen Mole brought her puppet Mimi to the delight of many children including Storm Ortiz from Immokalee. He high-fived the puppet. When asked if she is a puppeteer or a ventriloquist, she said, “I’m just a grandma that loves kids.”
Other activities included face painting, crafts, and photo buttons made by Pamela and Joe Monks II, to capture the fun and friendships of the event.
For more information on Candlelighters, go to CandlelightersSWFL.org or call 432-2223.