Yachts of Hope Benefit for Hope Hospice Raises More Than $500,000

Read the Yachts of Hope Press Release here.

Yachts of Hope—a fundraiser for Hope Hospice at Gulf Harbor Yacht and Country Club—raised more than $500,000 and marked the start of Hope Hospice’s capital campaign to build a new hospice house and senior care facility at the corner of Six Mile Cypress and Metro Parkway in Fort Myers.

Hosted by Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, Sonya Sawyer and Lizbeth Benacquisto, with committee members Pam Cronin, Deanna Hansen, Andie Vogt and Mary Jo Walker, the event featured tours of 15 luxury yachts and tastings from fine local restaurants and caterers including Cru, LYNQ, Keyline Bistro, SABORAM and Purple Spoon.

Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner, live band and dancing along with an exciting live auction with VIP trips to The Masters, EMMY Awards, Paris, London and Italy, as well as a 2 hour charter provided by Image Yacht Charters.

Known as Hope Preserve, the property will feature a state-of-the-art hospice house, community bereavement center, a Parkinson Program Center and Hope PACE Care Center for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.

“This care campus will focus on ensuring optimal quality of life for people who are frail and aging, living with serious illness or grieving,” said Hope Healthcare President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith. “Hope Preserve will allow for the expansion of vital programs and services such as bereavement support for children and adults, Parkinson’s resources and senior care.”

Yachts of Hope presenting sponsor The John E. and Aliese Price Foundation was joined by top sponsors Stilwell Enterprises, Youngquist Brothers, Cypress Cove, Home-Tech and Mark Loren Designs.