Southwest Florida Hooters Employees Bring Books, Bingo and Community Support to Local Cancer Patients

Employees from Hooters restaurants in Fort Myers and Naples are continuing a year-round community partnership aimed at bringing moments of connection, entertainment and encouragement to cancer patients and their families across Southwest Florida.

Through two recurring programs — “Wingo,” Hooters’ version of bingo, and Hootie’s Lending Library — local Hooters employees regularly visit cancer-care facilities in Lee County to provide meals, games, books and other activities for people undergoing treatment.

The programs complement a much broader network of patient-support services available through the Lee Health Cancer Institute, including support groups, education, wellness activities and social programs for patients, survivors and caregivers. Lee Health says its Cancer Support Community programs are offered at no cost to participants.

The Suncoast Post previously reported on Hooters of Southwest Florida’s Hootie’s Lending Library program, which continues to provide recurring support for local cancer patients.

“Wingo” Gives Patients and Families a Night to Connect

In August, Alyssa Flusche and Haylee Burges of Hooters of Fort Myers joined Taylor Zalich of Hooters of Naples to host the restaurants’ monthly Wingo gathering at Lee Health’s Cancer Support Community in Fort Myers.

Approximately 25 people participated in the hour-long event, which included dinner provided by Hooters and four rounds of Wingo. Prizes included Hooters gift certificates and restaurant vouchers.

The turnout represents significant growth for the monthly gathering, according to Zalich.

“It has been so rewarding hosting Wingo and seeing how much the event has grown. We started with around 15 participants and are now seeing nearly 25 people join us each month, with a great mix of returning faces and new participants,” Zalich said.

The value of programs such as Wingo extends beyond entertainment. Lee Health describes its Cancer Support Community as a place where people affected by cancer can build relationships, share experiences and access emotional and social support throughout treatment and survivorship.

Lee Health reported in July 2026 that nearly 175 patients, survivors and caregivers had become members of the Cancer Support Community during approximately its first year of operation.

“The patients really look forward to Wingo every month, which makes this partnership especially meaningful for us,” said Jen White, project coordinator for the Patient Support Community. “It’s been such a great opportunity to spend time with the patients and their families while creating a fun night for everyone.”

The Cancer Support Community is located on the fourth floor of the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, 8931 Colonial Center Drive in Fort Myers. Its programming includes cancer support groups, caregiver programs, grief support, educational sessions and wellness activities.

More information is available through Lee Health’s Cancer Support Community.

Hootie’s Lending Library Provides a Welcome Distraction During Treatment

Hooters employees are also maintaining lending-library carts at area cancer-treatment facilities.

During a recent visit, Paige Roberts and Haylee Burges of Hooters of Fort Myers joined Taylor Zalich to refresh two lending-library carts serving patients at the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center.

Later that day, Kelly Deihl and Emily Wuerful of Hooters of Naples made their monthly library visit in the Bonita Springs/Estero area, sorting the existing collection and adding new books and activities.

The carts are stocked with more than traditional reading material. Depending on availability, patients can find books, word-search puzzles, coloring books, writing supplies and bookmarks — giving people undergoing treatment something to read or work on while spending extended periods in an infusion chair or waiting for appointments.

“Being able to help and provide for Hootie’s Lending Library for the cancer patients has given me a different perspective on their daily lives,” Deihl said. “To be able to give them a book or an activity to keep their minds off treatment, even for a minute, can be rewarding. The library is a great way to help the community and reassure the patients they aren’t alone.”

That mission fits closely with Lee Health’s broader approach to cancer care, which includes not only medical treatment but also nutrition counseling, rehabilitation, survivorship services, support groups and resources for caregivers. Patients and families can review Lee Health’s cancer resources and support services for more information.

More Than 16,800 Books Distributed Since 2022

According to Hooters of South Florida, the Lending Library program began in 2022 and has since provided more than 16,800 books to hospitals and cancer-care facilities in Southwest and South Florida.

The company says books have been supplied to cancer patients in Southwest Florida as well as children receiving care at hospitals elsewhere in South Florida.

Unlike a one-time donation drive, the program operates throughout the year. Employees regularly return to organize the carts, remove worn materials and add new books and activities.

The continued visits are important because they turn what could simply be a book donation into an ongoing relationship between restaurant employees, healthcare providers, patients and families.

A Growing Network of Cancer Support in Southwest Florida

The partnership comes as Lee Health continues expanding cancer services and support resources throughout Southwest Florida.

The Lee Health Regional Cancer Center at 8931 Colonial Center Drive in Fort Myers provides oncology services and serves as a primary location for the Lee Health Cancer Institute. Lee Health also operates the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic at Bonita Health Center, located at 3501 Health Center Boulevard in Estero.

Patients and families can learn more about Lee Health Cancer Institute, Cancer Resources and Support Services, and the Cancer Support Community.

About Southwest Florida Hooters

Hooters of Fort Myers is located at:

4411 Cleveland Avenue
Fort Myers, FL

Hooters of Naples is located at:

3625 Gateway Lane
Naples, FL

Hooters of South Florida operates 15 restaurants and supports a variety of charitable and community initiatives throughout the region.

More information about the company and its community involvement is available through Hooters of South Florida, Facebook, and Instagram.

Related Stories

• Hooters of Southwest Florida Brings Comfort to Cancer Patients with Monthly “Hootie’s Lending Library” Program
• Naples Hooters Brings Books and Lunch to Bonita Springs Cancer Clinic in Monthly Outreach Effort
• Hooters Fort Myers Celebrates 40 Years with $100,000 Donation to Fight Hunger in Southwest Florida

Photos from Hooters SW Florida