LARC raises more than $15,000 at Celebrity Bartender Event

Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) is celebrating another successful year of community spirit, camaraderie, and generosity following its second annual Shaken, Stirred & Served Celebrity Bartending Event, held June 14 at Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery in Cape Coral.

The event raised more than $15,000 to support LARC’s mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to achieve their full potential through direct services, public education, and advocacy.

This year’s celebrity teams included:

• Tommy Bohanon, former NFL fullback and financial advisor at Baystreet Financial, and Stefanie Ink, CEO of Community Cooperative & Meals on Wheels SWFL
• Marc Collins, Executive Director of Uncommon Friends Foundation, and Shavon Chester, community leader and advocate
• Radio hosts Mel and Scott on the Morning Gator Country 101.9 FM

The three teams stepped behind the bar to compete for tips benefiting LARC’s programs and services. After a spirited competition and tremendous support from the community, Tommy Bohanon and Stefanie Ink were crowned the 2026 Celebrity Bartending Champions, raising the highest total of the evening. Together, Team Tommy & Stefanie raised almost $7,000, accounting for nearly half of the event’s total fundraising efforts and demonstrating the power of community support when local leaders come together for a great cause.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community,” said Angela Katz, executive director of LARC. “To raise more than $15,000 in just a few hours is truly remarkable. Every dollar raised helps create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn, grow, work, and live more independently. This event demonstrates what can happen when our community comes together for a common purpose.”

LARC also extends its sincere thanks to Mike Gavala and the entire team at Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery for their generosity and continued partnership. Nevermind opened its doors on a Sunday—outside of its regular hours—and dedicated their time, staff, and resources to make this event possible. Their commitment to community and to supporting individuals with IDD was on full display.

Funds raised from the event will help support LARC’s life skills training, employment services, residential programs, community support services, recreational opportunities, and other programs that empower individuals with disabilities to thrive at home, at work, and in the community.

For more information about LARC, visit www.larcleecounty.org.

About LARC

Founded in 1954, LARC empowers individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities to reach their full potential through direct services, public education, and advocacy. Serving more than 300 individuals annually throughout Southwest Florida, LARC provides life skills training, employment services, residential support, community-based programs, and educational opportunities that promote independence and inclusion.