provided to Santiva Chronicle
There is still time to “get on board” for a special day out on Sanibel, and help Zonta raise money for area organizations whose work mirrors Zonta’s mission of empowerment. Through its foundation, Zonta recently distributed a record $104,700 in grants to 17 Southwest Florida organizations — two of them on Sanibel — working to improve the lives of women and girls.
Set for Saturday, March 14, the 19th annual “Peek at the Unique” by the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva will again open doors to normally private island homes. This renowned event has delighted supporters every year and is a favorite with local residents, snowbirds and visitors.
Get tickets at Eventbrite for $100 each ($90 for afternoon departures, if available) plus a small service fee; scroll down to select from available seats. Don’t delay for best choice of departure time. All donations are tax-deductible per IRS guidelines.
Before boarding air-conditioned buses, guests can enjoy “light bites” from Sanibel’s finest restaurants and caterers, purchase raffle tickets or bid on auction items. Every dollar in proceeds will make a huge difference in Southwest Florida
Bonus this year: five homes instead of the usual four. First up: adjacent homes “born” over 40 years apart. “Peekers” will visit two homes at a single stop on the three-hour guided tour: one a modest single-story, transformed after a masterful top-to-toe remodel, and the other a brand-new, Mediterranean “castle,” three stories high. Both enjoy a lake view with a rookery island.
Next are two homes in contrasting styles and belonging to well-known Sanibel residents who are friends and collaborators. The 40-year-old home of realtor and author Charles Sobczak and his wife Molly Heuer, packed with recycled or reclaimed items, contrasts vividly with the brand-new home of their friends, nature photographers Dick Fortune and Sara Lopez. Each is naturally unique — and intriguing.
Rounding out the tour is a spectacular, near-Gulf residence designed with a focus on adaptability, planned so the fortunate owners could age in place. On two floors with a sparkling open pool, this home won five Design Excellence awards in 2019 from the American Society of Interior Designers.
For information about Zonta, its partners and the “Peek,” visit www.zontasancap.com.