Save the Date for 2018 Uncommon Evening – November 8, 2018 – 25th Anniversary of Uncommon Friends Foundation

The Uncommon Friends Foundation (UFF) is pleased to announce its 2018 Uncommon Evening annual gala is set for Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens at 2505 First Street in downtown Fort Myers. The theme of “Reflections on the River” will celebrate the Uncommon Friends Foundation’s 25th anniversary in 2018. Caryn Smith, CEO of Driven by Design LLC, is the chairperson for the event.

This year’s event will feature a retrospect of the organization’s history, as it relates to character education, promoting ethics in business, student scholarships, and historic preservation of the Burroughs Home and James Newton Archives. The Foundation was first inspired by the lives, relationships, passions, and values of the original “uncommon friends,” Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh as revealed in James Newton’s 1987 book, “Uncommon Friends,” with forward by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

Uncommon Evening will also include historic Burroughs Home tours and riverfront dining, followed by the program to honor student scholarship recipients, the Character Education Champion Teacher, and the Business Ethics Award winner. Nominations for all of the scholarships and awards are open at https://uncommonfriends.org.

2018 sponsorships are now available. Storm Smart returns as the Jim & Ellie Newton Presenting Sponsor. Other committed sponsors include: Alliance Financial Group/Michael & Lynne Kimmich, BB&T Insurance, Henderson Franklin, and LCEC. Artichoke & Company returns as the official caterer. Sponsors who partner early will benefit from increased exposure from several 25th anniversary events planned throughout the year, such as a special Historic Tour Progressive Dinner planned for September. For a complete list of sponsorship opportunities, download a copy of the sponsorship packet at http://bit.ly/2GpWidG or contact Jennifer Nelson below. All money raised supports the Uncommon Friends Foundation and its work throughout the year.

The Uncommon Friends Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 and dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders. It is located at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens at 2505 First Street in Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Public tours and use of its new waterfront Gale McBride Pavilion are available by reservation. For more information, contact Executive Director Jennifer Nelson at jennifer@uncommonfriends.org or call (239) 337-9503.