Fort Myers Hooters employee Lindsay Gentsch represented the restaurant in giving back at Lee Regional Cancer Center on Feb. 12. Every month the Fort Myers Hooters location delivers additional books for patients to read, word searches, coloring books, writing utensils and bookmarks. Gentsch, who has visited several times to restock the books, joined the Cancer Center employees in bringing the cart around to the patients.

“I am always blown away every visit I attend to restock the cart and almost every book is gone. It really makes me happy to see patients enjoying the cart while they wait for their appointments. It’s the little things that go so far. I am honored to work for a company that continues to give back,” said Lindsay Gentsch who works at Fort Myers Hooters. “Being in the restaurant is part of the job. But being in the community and helping our Fort Myers family is a must. Give a hoot!”

“We created the Hootie’s Lending Library program to provide books for kids and adults to read when they are in the hospital and every month we are always restocking and adding more books to the selections. It is our priority to give back where there is a need in Southwest Florida,” said South Florida Hooters Director of Marketing Kristi Quarles.

“Each time I roll the book cart through our infusion center and explain the books are no cost and theirs to keep- patients are enriched by the generosity. Their expressions display so much gratitude. This book cart allows us to foster greater connections with our patients and meet their needs in a new way. So often- our patients have long appointment days and it is not until they get checked in- they realize they forgot their own book. Many patients have stated this book cart is exactly what they needed today,” said Allison R. Selbee, who is a medical social worker for Lee Health Regional Cancer Center.

Every month the restaurant donates more books to the selection at each of the partnering hospitals. Since 2022, Hootie’s Lending Library has provided more than 7,000 books to the local hospitals in South Florida and Southwest Florida.

Left to right: Savanney Insixiengmay, Emily Shaffer and Chloe Chisholm of Fort Myers Hooters recently visited the new home for Valerie’s House. PROVIDED

Hooters of Fort Myers employees Savanney Insixiengmay, Emily Shaffer and Chloe Chisholm visited the new home for Valerie’s House on Feb. 1. Hooters donated and delivered dinner for the families at the non-profit. Hooters of Fort Myers employees visit Valerie’s House every month to bring food including wings for the children and their families. During this visit they had the opportunity to also tour the new home.

“Valerie’s House has grown so much and I am so happy to be able to visit every month and see how important this house means to the kids. This visit we took a tour of the house and it was so beautiful to see how they truly accommodate all ages and make this place special for all visitors. I am so grateful Hooters can be involved and make a difference,” said Emily Shaffer who works at Fort Myers Hooters.

Valerie’s House is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help children and families work through the loss of a loved one together and go on to live fulfilling lives.

“We are proud to partner with Valerie’s House and support their vision and mission to help children and their families year-round in Southwest Florida. Our employees at our Fort Myers Hooters location are grateful for the opportunity to visit every month,” Quarles said.