Inaugural ‘Immokalee celebration’ draws out crowds

Published: Updated:

IMMOKALEE, Fla. – A community in Southwest Florida came together to show off all the good that’s going on from day to day. For months now, local businesses and organizations have been planning the inaugural Immokalee Celebration.

For three years, Lipman Produce has been stuffing bags with more than just fruits and vegetables.

“We raise money to give away backpacks filled with school supplies right before school starts every year,” said Jaime Weisinger, with Lipman Produce.

This year they wanted to change things up a bit after community members say they wanted a help.

Saturday morning they had the chance to do just that. Weisinger says, “We decided to have this 5K, let people register, and take all the proceeds from this 5K and help buy school supplies and backpacks for the kids.”

The race was just one piece to a larger puzzle. Lipman produce joined with the Immokalee Chamber of Comerce to create the inaugural “Immokalee Celebration.” A chance to show off this Southwest Florida community.

“Why don’t we do something that we can gather everybody and celebrate Immokalee and have fun with it,” said Bernardo Barnhart, President of the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce.

They say it’s also a chance to change perception.
“A couple of bad apples ruin a lot of things sometimes, but there’s also a lot of positive that happens out here, and a lot of good people in this town. I think when people come by here and check us out, they’ll be like wow that’s pretty cool,” said Barnhart.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.