‘Celebration of life’ benefit set for Sunday
A celebration of life benefit for Joshua Williams, a 21-year-old Cape Coral man who died in a motorcycle crash, will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Catch 22 Sports Bar.
Williams died in the crash that occurred in central Cape Coral at approximately 1:17 a.m., May 22. Since then, friends of the family have been working diligently to organize this benefit, helping how they can.
Receiving a fair amount of smaller donations over the last week, organizers are still seeking larger-ticket items for the benefit’s silent auctions, live auctions and raffle prizes.
According to benefit lead coordinator Ted Haney, funds raised during the July 9 gathering will go to covering Williams’ medical costs and final expenses, which is why such an urgent call has been given for raffle prizes and silent auction donations.
“Anything helps,” Haney said. “We’re still trying to get as much stuff as we can. I think the highest-priced item so far is a package from the Lani Kai but I wish I had some more larger-ticket items to help this family. Anything worth $100 or more will be auctioned that day.”
Seven local bands have donated their time Sunday, all performing inside throughout the benefit. Look forward to seeing Myth, the Flying Hasselhoffs, Spectrum, Mad Hatter, Dog Fish, Half Moon and Bite the Bullet.
“These bands – we can always count on them. We actually had many more musicians wanting to play and help out – and we really appreciate it. We do whatever we can for anybody, doesn’t matter who it is,” said Haney, who’s a longtime fellow musician, performing in Spectrum. “That’s one thing I love about the musicians around here – they have a big heart and are willing to do anything for anybody. We’ll have special guest guitar player playing with us in Spectrum that afternoon, Mark Chang, and a big thank-you to our sound man, Mike Grier, who will be running sound all day.”
Benefit-goers can enjoy food and drink specials, and with the hot, sticky rainy season, this will be an indoor event with some great music and food for local cause.
“No one is more deserving than Nick (Calixico) and Jill (Williams) (Williams’ parents). This is a devastating tragedy,” Haney said. “Our hearts go out to Nick and Jill. It’s such a sad thing, but this is what we do in Southwest Florida; we all pull together and help everyone out. It is sad that we have to do this to get together, but on the other hand, it’s great to see everyone – and then you know who you can always count on.”
Catch 22 Sports Bar is at 1400 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
To make a donation, contact Adrienne Imondi, 941-284-8125.