Toast to Tomorrow Sign & Dine Fundraiser

The Toast to Tomorrow fundraiser gala is set to take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at The club at Pelican Preserve. This highly anticipated, exclusive event will gather a select group of community leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to support the center’s mission of empowering individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing throughout Southwest Florida.

The theme, Toast to Tomorrow, reflects not only a celebration of the progress we've made but also a commitment to our future as we look ahead to the next chapter of growth for the center. A key focus of the evening will be raising funds to prepare for a future expansion, including a new building that will allow us to better serve the growing needs of our community. This investment in our future will ensure we are ready to seize the right opportunity when it comes, keeping the center a vital resource for deaf and hard of hearing individuals across Southwest Florida.

Toast to Tomorrow offers a unique, intimate atmosphere with just 75 seats available, ensuring that guests will experience a more personal and meaningful evening. The limited seating enhances the high-quality networking opportunities, allowing sponsors and attendees to connect with influential figures in the local philanthropic and business communities. Sponsors will receive greater visibility and focused attention throughout the night, providing a high-impact opportunity to align their brand with this life-changing cause.

“We are thrilled to host this exclusive gala, designed to create an environment where every guest feels deeply connected to the mission of the center and where we’re headed in the future,” said Amy Turner, Executive Director of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center. “The intimate size of the event allows us to provide sponsors and attendees with a more personalized experience, offering direct access to key community leaders and a closer look at the vital work being done through our programs.”

The evening will feature an elegant dinner and a testimonial program, where attendees will hear personal stories from individuals whose lives have been transformed by the center’s services. These firsthand accounts offer a powerful emotional connection to the cause, deepening the understanding of how the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center’s programs and services are making a real difference in the community.

In addition to the testimonials, guests will enjoy both a silent auction and a live auction featuring exceptional travel experiences. The silent auction will offer an exquisite selection of carefully curated gift baskets and luxurious packages, ranging from indulgent spa experiences to gourmet delights. Each item provides a unique opportunity for guests to take home a beautiful treasure while supporting a meaningful cause.

As part of the evening, guests will also have the fun and engaging opportunity to learn a little bit of sign language, giving them the tools to communicate with a deaf person and deepen their connection to the cause in a hands-on way.

“We are confident that the limited seating will make this event even more special,” Turner added. “Toast to Tomorrow is not just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the progress we’ve made and a powerful opportunity for sponsors to engage in a more intimate setting where their contributions will be front and center as we plan for the future growth of the center.”

Seats are limited and expected to sell out quickly.

About Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center

The mission of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center (DHHC) is to empower Southwest Florida’s deaf and hard of hearing citizens and their families through education, advocacy, and community involvement. DHHC is a 501(c)3 United Way partner agency and partially funded by Lee County, City of Cape Coral, United Way, Lee County Bar Association Foundation, Rotary Club of Fort Myers, and other private donors.

For more information, visit www.dhhc.life, email amyturner@dhhc.life, or call (239) 461-0334 voice phone or (239) 247-5821 video phone.