For additional information please contact Trent Howe or by phone (239) 271-2562
Still want to help us? FUND THE MISSION
All March of Dimes Signature Chefs events will be held virtually this year. While we may not be together in person, we rely on your continued support to provide innovative programs and services for moms, moms-to-be and babies who may be at a greater risk of becoming sick and not receiving proper or equitable care.
The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.
We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!
We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:
Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of the best of the best with chefs from our top dining establishments serving their favorite dishes. Event Co-Chairs Bryon and Kellie McCartney invite you to attend the Southwest Coast Division Signature Chefs Auction as we proudly enter our 28th year. Our annual event is the original culinary showcase and one of the most exciting fundraisers in our area while featuring an elegant surrounding, sumptuous foods and wines for a truly unforgettable evening. The evening also serves up a silent and live auctions filled with one of kind opportunities.
It was only 23 weeks into what we thought was going to be an exciting 9 month journey when our world was flipped upside down. Felicia went in for her normal checkup when the doctor noticed a few things they weren’t comfortable with surrounding her blood pressure and decided to put Felicia on bed rest until our baby came into the world. Little did we know that only a few short hours later Emerson would be joining us. I had received the phone call from Felicia’s mother that they had taken her back for an emergency C-section. The doctors were saying that Emerson’s heart rate had dropped and they rushed in to take the baby. No more than a few minutes later the staff came out of the operating room with Emerson asking if I wanted to see her and that they didn’t have long and that it didn’t look good. That brief first encounter with Emerson I realized that we had a battle in front of us that I couldn’t do anything about. It was all in Emerson’s and the staff’s hands. She weighed under a pound at 450 grams. We had a lot of ups and downs the first couple of weeks. Most included times we were told to say our goodbyes that there was nothing more the staff could do, our responses never wavered, “we won’t say good bye we are taking her home she is a fighter”. Holding Emerson for the first time, “skin to skin” or “Kangaroo”, was the most amazing experience I think that Felicia and I have ever felt. Not only for us, but I think that every time we did it was like it energized Emerson to push and fight harder. After 143 days in the NICU we were able to take Emerson home on a heart monitor and on oxygen, both of which did not last long. We had one scary experience once we came home that required us to call 911. When Emerson aspirated gas drops and began to BRADY. I did what I fortunately had been trained to do which was stay calm and act, I kept her stimulated as she would go in and out of color. By the time the EMT showed up we had her stable but still had them check her out as they were curious themselves what a “micro Preemie” was. After that day we were fortunate not to have any more crazy out of the norm moments. Emerson has since continued to grow and surpass goals set for her through speech, occupational, and physical therapy. She is still not caught up to her actual age yet, but makes big strides every week. She is going to do big things one day that we are sure of. We are truly blessed to have her in our life. Every day is a gift and her smile is a reminder of what life is really about.
Event Co-Chairs Bryon and Kellie McCartney invite you to attend the Southwest Coast Division Signature Chefs Auction as we proudly enter our 27th year.
The March of Dimes annual Signature Chefs Auction provides your company with a unique cause marketing opportunity to co-brand your company with the vital mission of the March of Dimes. Your company will shine in the eyes of approximately 300 society members and business professionals who come to support our mission while enjoying an evening of fine cuisine created by local chefs, flowing wine, spirits and exclusive, exciting custom-created auction packages. Presenting sponsor Higdon Group / Forever Wealth Club, LLC Platinum sponsors The Dorcey Law Firm, PLC Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee Silver sponsors HBKS Wealth Advisors Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida Bronze sponsors Arthrex Collins Vision Jaguar Fort Myers Philip Financial Group Scotlynn Trucking USA Division, Inc. UBS/Genesis Wealth Management Social Media and Marketing sponsor Be Brilliant! Marketing Media sponsors Naples Daily News The Naples Studio The News-Press Media Group RapidPrint Visitivity Media
We are honored to be the Presenting Sponsor for the 2017 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. As the mother of a two-year-old baby girl and step mom to two older boys, I really wanted to find an organization that supported children when they need it most, and did the research necessary to give each and every child a fighting chance. When you’re a mother or father, your main focus becomes the well-being of your children. I can’t imagine what it’s like to feel like that’s in jeopardy and feel hopeless. We love March of Dimes because it gives these parents hope and actual positive results. When we came to the event last year just as attendees, this event blew us away. Not only were our bellies full but so were our hearts ;). Our two year old ran around to all of the food stations and loved meeting all of the people, everyone was so warm. My husband and I met the ambassador family and couldn’t help but see our children’s eyes in theirs. When we came home that week we got a call from Bryon McCartney asking us if we’d donate to the cause and become a sponsor of the next event. We have a business that helps home businesses market online, and it requires a lot of travel and time, but one thing we recognize is when you find a cause that means something to you, it’s so important to acknowledge the situation and do something about it to make a positive impact. We immediately said yes, and what I love is that not only did they accept our money (as most charities would) but they invited us to lobby for mom and baby issues in Tallahassee, and volunteer in hospitals and where the cause needed it most. We could see the direct affect our donation had on these babies, and it felt totally amazing to give back in that way. The research and facilities that March of Dimes has created is incredible, babies with all different types of birth defects and illnesses now have a fighting chance. March of Dimes has changed our relationship with giving and this community, and we can’t thank them enough for all of the work that they do. Ray and Jessica Higdon
Signature Chefs events feature local culinary talent who create a selection of fine cuisine for an exclusive audience. Our chefs are artists, innovators and philanthropists, and we look forward to sharing their talents at the event.
Seasons 52
Bayfront Bistro
Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill
CRU
Tanglewood
Tarpon Bay
Thistle Lodge Bayfront Restaurant
Two Guy's Kitchen & Catering
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
