Honorary Mayor event Jan. 28
The North Fort Myers Honorary Mayor Dinner is designed to bring businesses and the community together.
“This annual North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce fund raiser will offer a great evening of dinner, music and prizes galore,” said North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Constantine. “The Honorary Mayor represents positive leadership to promote North Fort Myers.”
The mayor will officiate ribbon cuttings for new businesses in the area, local judging for various events and community services.
This year’s candidates are Al Giacalone of Sun Country Real Estate and Homes; Carolyn Graves, General Manager of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Michael Graves, general manager of NFM ICAN Junction Repurpose Store.
“Dollars equal votes,” Constantine said. “So the more a candidate raises, the more votes. Voting will end up to 7 p.m. that night at the dinner.”
Past recipients have included Tom Cronin Sr., Tom Hoolihan Jr., Deputy Jarrod Cantrell, John Gardner, and Michelle Brisindine.
“Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall and the first Honorary Mayor Tom Cronin Sr. will officiate the event,” said Constantine.
Tickets are $30 and can be reserved at the chamber by calling 997-9111 or going to nfmchamber.org.
“The candidates wanted to give back to the community, so each of them is offering major gifts to the public,” she said.
One is a $500 shopping spree -anywhere – the second is a $1,000 worth of gifts from getaways, to dining and jewelry.
“Anything you can think of. There are also three unique designers handbags, all to be given away at the event.”
Raffle tickets for the prizes range from $10 to $25, and you do not need to be present to win. You can purchase them at the Welcome Center or by phone.
The candidates and their profiles for NFM Honorary Mayor 2012 include:
n Al Giacalone, Sun Country Real Estate and Homes
Al Giacalone and his wife Deb moved to North Fort Myers with their four children in 1999, and are now enjoying watching their three grandchildren grow. They have owned several small businesses and are currently Realtors with Sun Country Realty of Florida.
Giacalone knows it is important to be involved in, and give back to, the community. He does this through his volunteer work at the NFM Chamber, which includes being on the Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee and through volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He sees this campaign as an opportunity to give back to the community by raising funds for Chamber services and the Chamber Foundation.
n Carolyn Graves, general manager of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Carolyn Graves has a business networking group called Breakfast Networkers. She is a member of Women’s Life and the Palms of Edisonia American Business Women’s Association since 1989 and has held positions of president,vice president and treasurer of ABWA and recipient of Women of the year and Business associate of the year. Currently she is on the Board of Directors of NFM Chamber of Commerce.
n Michael Graves, general manager of NFM ICAN Junction Repurpose Store
Michael Graves, the general manager of NFM ICAN Junction Repurpose Store, is a native of Lubbock/Odessa, Texas. A resident of Florida for six years, his background is in operations and management.
He previously was an owner operator for 10 years as a long-distance 18-wheel truck driver and eight years in the Navy. Michael Graces is an outgoing and passionate individual in regards to volunteering and working with the community. Since his residence in Lee County, he has been actively involved with United Way of Lee County as an allocations team member, ICAN, CARES Project, Chamber of Commerce Cape Coral and North Fort Myers, where he is currently an ambassador and member of the Board of Directors.
The event will be held at The Shell Factory & Nature Park Dolphin Room at Capt’n Fishbones, North Fort Myers from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinner tickets are $30 and include live and silent auctions, music and entertainment. Reserve your tickets by calling 997-9111 or going to nfmchamber.org, where you can also cast your vote.