FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 15, 2023) – Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has donated $50,000 to the Children’s Education Center of the Islands to help cover the cost of rebuilding the school after major storm damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
“CECI has been an important part of the Sanibel community since 1974,” said Andrea Murphy, president of the CECI board of directors. “Since the storm, students have been scattered to different preschools. We are beyond ready to return the youngest islanders to their home school.”
Thompson Hall, one of two buildings on the campus, is undergoing renovations and will open in the fall with limited student capacity. The center’s other larger building will be razed to make way for a new structure built by Benchmark General Contractors, who have offered their services to rebuild at cost.
“Many of our employee’s children have attended CECI over the years,” said Kyle DeCicco, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. “It’s a special place to us and many islanders. We’re so pleased to be able to help them rebuild and get back to educating our island kids.”
Children’s Education Center of the Islands is a non-profit preschool serving the children of Sanibel ages 18 months to 6 years old. The center incorporates the natural world and play to teach children foundational concepts using hands-on and child-led experiences. For more information, visit childrenseducationcenter.com.
