Sizzle Dining is now underway, with 137 restaurants from Marco Island to Babcock Ranch serving specially priced menus through Sept. 30. The milestone 10th year marks the first time the event spans the entire month of September, with a goal of selling more than 100,000 Sizzle meals. Participating restaurants are offering prix-fixe breakfast, lunch and dinner menus starting at $19, with two-, three- and four-course options available. Every menu delivers a true 25% to 30% discount off the restaurant's regular a la carte pricing. For every Sizzle Dining meal sold, participating restaurants donate $1 to benefit the Southwest Florida chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that feeds food-insecure elementary school children on weekends and during the summer. Diners can browse all 137 menus at SizzleDining.org.

Real Estate Investment Society will present on Water Quality & Watershed issues with Rachel Rotz, associate professor and program coordinator, Department of Marine & Earth Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Water School. The program will begin at 11:45 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd. Fort Myers. Tickets are $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Reservations are required by Sept. 4.

The Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber and Lee Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association will host “Behind the Bill: A Property Tax Discussion” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sep. 16 at Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers. Lee County Tax Appraiser Matt Caldwell and Lee County Tax Collector Noelle Branning will address the proposed Amendment 3 property tax bill. Early-bird registration fee before Sept. 11 is $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Fees increase by $10 thereafter. Registration is required; walk-ins are not accepted. Register to attend here.

Lee County Government is continuing robust restoration efforts at its beachfront locations on Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach while encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead for parking after Labor Day and into the season. Beginning Sept. 8, several Lee County Parks & Recreation beach parks will launch projects to restore and replace Hurricane Ian-damaged amenities, including restrooms, boardwalks and parking lots. The county is starting now because the process to obtain federal reimbursement for these projects has been approved, meaning local taxpayer dollars do not have to be used. Most projects are expected to take 11 months to complete. Beaches will remain open throughout the projects. For a list of impacted sites, click here.

Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate’s 12th annual Transform Seniors’ Lives event will take place Nov. 10. The by-invitation-only event brings together community leaders, advocates and supporters for an evening dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults and caregivers from across Collier County. Funds raised help ensure a safe, welcoming space where seniors belong, make friends, savor nourishing meals, receive caring support, learn something new and celebrate life. Kris Fishman and Kayda Johnson are chairing the event, with Commissioner Burt Saunders as honorary chair.

Community Blood Center, an affiliate of Naples Comprehensive Health, will host a 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Waterside Shops, 5415 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Each donor who successfully gives blood will receive a 25th Anniversary Patriot Day Memorial T-shirt and a $25 True Food Kitchen gift card, while supplies last. Individuals who are unable to attend the blood drive may donate at the NCH Community Blood Center Donor Center, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples. The Donor Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Walk-ins are welcome, and donor appreciation gifts vary by location.

The annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk will begin at 7:45 a.m. Sept. 12 at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers to support the nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families. More than 650 people of all ages are expected to participate in the local event. A ceremony featuring bagpipers will precede the 5K. Food and merchandise vendors will be on hand, as well. Proceeds from the event support Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s programs.

Warrior Homes of Collier Inc. received a $50,000 grant from the Moorings Park Foundation to assist the nonprofit’s efforts to provide supportive housing for senior veterans. The grant money will be used for rapid rehousing, rent assistance and housing-related expenses. Warrior Homes of Collier operates six Naples residences for local veterans: Alpha House, a short-term, transitional home for those in recovery from substance-use issues; Delta House, a supportive housing complex with 10 apartments for up to 20 veterans; as well as Bravo, Charlie, Echo and Foxtrot Houses, which provide long-term supportive housing for veterans. A seventh residence, Zulu Project, is slated to open in the fall.

A.N.A.'s Friends received a $30,000 grant from the Naples Woman’s Club for its Children’s Needs Program and Heartfelt Hangouts, a donation that will support approximately 250 Collier County children. The funding will help A.N.A.’s Friends respond to the individual circumstances of Collier County children as needs arise while creating opportunities for positive childhood experiences and connection.

Community Cooperative is hosting a sauce, spice and condiment food drive through Sept. 30. The organization is collecting these items to help turn basic pantry staples into flavorful meals, as it says these items are rarely donated. To participate, drop items off at Community Cooperative, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers. To schedule a food drive, email events@communitycooperative.com.

Don’t miss out on the Gulfshore Business 2026 Giving Guide. Businesses in Southwest Florida have a long history of giving back to their communities and investing in social services, culture, healthcare and education. With so many deserving nonprofits, it’s sometimes difficult to discern and prioritize corporate giving. With our Fifth Annual Giving Guide, nonprofits based in Southwest Florida will have the opportunity to showcase their organizations, differentiate their missions and work, and help businesses better understand how they can contribute. For more information, please contact Advertising Director Chris Renstrom at 239-498-8517 or chris.renstrom@gulfshorebusiness.com.