7th Annual Porsche & Friends Parade to Golisano Children’s Hospital Dec. 2
The event delivers holiday cheer in style to patients while raising critical funds
FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 9, 2023) – For the 7th year, a parade of Porsches and other exotic automobiles will deliver Santa and holiday cheer to patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 2. In addition, a live auction will raise critically needed funds to help build the new Golisano Pediatric Surgery Center.
The 7th annual event is organized by John and Valerie Petracco on behalf of the Everglades Region of the Porsche Club of America, which covers Southwest Florida from Punta Gorda to Marco Island. The event is held in partnership with the Gulf Harbor Porsche Owners Group, Porsche Fort Myers, Terra Nostra Italian Ristorante and the Iona McGregor Fire District. Since 2016, the groups have raised more than $1 million for Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Participants with their cars will gather on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Glory Days Grill, 5056 Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, before heading to Golisano Children’s Hospital with a Lee County Sheriff’s Office escort. Once at the hospital, drivers will hand off their gifts to Child Life staff and gather to watch the Iona McGregor Fire District and Lee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT teams who dress as elves and repel from the roof of the hospital to tap on patients’ windows to share holiday cheer. Drivers will then participate in a live Fund-a-Need call, with the goal of raising funds to help build the new pediatric surgery center. This center will expand surgeries and outpatient services so that all children can get the surgery they need, without waiting or being delayed because of a lack of operating space.
Participants are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for infants to teens and be ready to give to the mission. Donated toys are also being accepted until Dec. 1 at Maverick Grill, 4480 Fowler St. in Fort Myers and at Porsche Fort Myers, 10064 Daniels Interstate Ct. in Fort Myers. Register for the event by calling John Petracco at 239-464-7080 or via email at jpetracco@comcast.net.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is nationally recognized for the quality care of pediatric patients. Established in 1994, Golisano is the only recognized children’s hospital in Southwest Florida. Named a U.S. News Top Pediatric Hospital in 2022, as well as a 2022 Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital serves more than 45,000 patients every year in relation to more than 30 specialty pediatric services such as cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and more. Lee Health opened the current hospital building in May 2017 which offers 135-beds and includes comprehensive pediatric services such as a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
