NFM Orioles support local community center
Officials from the North Fort Myers Fraternal Order of the Orioles presented a check for $1,400 to the North Fort Myers Community Center to make the summer better for local children.
“The funds will go to send kids to summer camp and toward our Club Rec Program- our after school program,” said the Center’s Senior Recreation Specialist June Christine Susterich. “What an awesome donation. The parents and the children will be very appreciative. They (the Orioles) have already given us $500. Five kids have been able to go to camp for two weeks already.”
“We want to do anything that takes care of kids,” said Kenny Cox, a trustee for the Orioles. “We recently had a Poker Run to finance the first contribution. We had numerous riders from three counties. Some of the supporters were the Leigh Acres Orioles, North Fort Myers Jim’s Pub, the Slip Knot Bar of Punta Gorda, the Bar of the Shores and more. Our Orioles location was the final stop. We had a good time.”
At the donation presentation, officials from the Orioles’ organization included Cox, Secretary Alden West, Treasurer Steve Smith and Sandi Walts, president of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Cox also said the Men’s Association helped finance contributions.
They also announced an upcoming fund raiser for injured Cape Coral soldier PFC Corey A. Kent. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, with “Kick-stands up” at 10 a.m. Call the organization for details, which are still in the planning stage.
“We want to set the bar at $500 an challenge other organizations,” said Secretary West.
The Poker Run will start and end at the Orioles local location.
Those officials also announced that a fund has been established at Bank of America for Kent, age 21, who was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan. “At any bank branch, you can make a donation, just ask there” said Cox.
Orioles officials also announced that they are already collecting for the Holiday season doing “Christmas in July” -collecting canned goods now. “People get caught up with buying for their own friends and family in November and December,” said Walts.
The group also gets wish lists from local schools to get presents for local children, a tradition for the members.
Members have also cooked full dinners for local families in need in the last few years.
They are a private organization, but are looking for new members. Prospective members can be signed in by a member if they want to check out the organization. A particularly fun night is Thursday, when they offer Karaoke and tacos.
The North Fort Myers Fraternal Order of the Orioles is known as Nest 301, and is located at 13290 North Cleveland Ave. For information call 656-6440.