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Six Bends Harley-Davidson raises money for SWFL kids

EN+Photo+%2F+Georgette+French
EN Photo / Georgette French
Six Bends Harley–Davidson of Fort Myers hosted Bourbon, Brews, and BBQ on June 25, to help raise money for the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida.
According to Taylor Loethen, rental manager at Six Bends, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida were able to raise money at the event, based soley on money gained from venues, and donations for guests and other benefactors. Guests to the event were able to getpulledporksandwiches from Jonesez BBQ food truck, taste test different types of Bourbon from vendors located throughout the venue, get photos on a Harley, and compete in food contests while kids stay occupied at a bounce- house.
Country singer Sheena Brook and several other bands were present to provide entertainment and while a family of Clydesdale horses whose four month old foal Molly, hogged most of the spotlight.
The money raised from the event went to benefit Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JA SWLF), a non-profit organization that strives to bring empowerment to students in the community.
The goal of the organization is to help students see how the people benefit and contribute to the community’s successes by exploring various jobs and giving students the skills needed to help students positively impact the community.
The program features mentorship from elementary school through high school and offers help in money management, economics, entrepreneurship, job shadowing and more for students at a young age.
“People think that we are funded by Junior Achievement USA (JA USA), but that’s not the case,” said Angela Fisher, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida.
Junior Achievement gets most of its money from donations and the profit from events like Bourbon,Brews and BBQ at Six Bends Harley-Davidson which is an invitation only event for vendors.

According to Fisher, Junior Achievement was invited to kiosk at the event by John Fisher who supports charities like Junior Achievement that strive to help the kids in our community.
During the event both Fisher and Telischak were present to give inform visitors of Six Bends about JA as well as give them a chance to sign up as volunteers to teach and mentor the children of the program.
Telischak explained that while Junior Achievement needed donations, they also needed volunteers who would be willing to spend time with the kids and teach them about career choices.
“It’s a great way to get (teaching) experience, it’s free, and we provide the kits needed to start,” said Telischak. “All you have to do is get there.”
The kits include reading and teaching material, curriculums and more to help volunteers jump right into teach a group of students.
While Six Bends has events almost every week, JA SWFL only holds events monthly, but donations and volunteers are welcome at any time.

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