A Christmas karaoke contest will be held at Beef O Brady's in Estero this weekend, benefiting the Florida Lions Eye Clinic.
The non-profit’s executive director, Tamika Seaton, says her KJ friend, Rich Nuckols, helped her come up with the idea.
She said, “We talked about different ways to promote the clinic. He mentioned that he dj's here and said, 'What about a karaoke contest' and I just thought that was a fantastic idea." Seaton says the Florida Lions Eye Clinic is the only one of its kind in Florida, providing free service to qualifying patients.
Criteria includes no medical insurance and living below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The clinic provides free eye care, including laser surgery for torn retina in diabetic patients. Seaton says, "We're able to provide these services for free through writing grants, donations by private donors, as well as events such as this one. That's how we raise the funds and awareness."
Organizers are asking for donations tonight from singers who want to participate in karaoke. Peter Ennis, owner of Beef O Brady’s, says it should be a good time. He says, "Any night, it's family. You might see your neighbor that you didn't know they were coming. You might see someone you haven't seen in a couple of years. It's a very casual, come as you are, neighborhood place."
In addition to monetary donations, the group will also collect unwrapped toys for their "Breakfast with Santa” event Saturday at the Bonita Springs Lion Club. Kids who attend, will also receive a free eye screening.
