Holiday Bear Hug Event cheers up Southwest Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center has once again been overtaken by teddy bears but all for a great cause. The annual Holiday Bear Hug Event provides teddy bears to the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Businesses, including WINK News and people from across the country and Florida, have donated dressed up bears to the Holiday Inn. The bears will later be distributed to children spending the holidays in the hospital. Wednesday, December 9th you can view the bears on display at the hotel and celebrity judges, including WINK News This Morning Reporter Stephanie Susskind, will present awards for the most original, most huggable, and most inspiring bio.

The event is free and open to the public from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lee Memorial Foundation. The Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center is located at 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive in Fort Myers.

Local Headlines

Friday’s Furry Friends: Dana, Reese

For this week’s Friday’s Furry Friends, WINK visits the Gulf Coast Humane Society to showcase two adorable animals ready to be adopted.

Mild and humid Friday morning ahead of a hot afternoon

The Weather Authority is tracking a mild and humid Friday morning start, with sun and clouds expected for the afternoon.

The “addicting” pickleball lifestyle, The US Open Pickleball Championship

The new owner wants to keep the ‘Pickleball Capital of the World’ simple, including bringing in all players from around the world and at all levels.

Community unites to honor Matlacha victim with memorial garden

A community is coming together to create a memorial garden for Mary-Lou Sharp, the 80-year-old woman who was killed after a driver barreled through the outdoor seating area of That BBQ Place