Brighter Days Brunch Loveland Center

We sat down with Yolan Tanner, Regional Philanthropy Associate for the Charlotte Area, to learn more about the Brighter Days Brunch she’s planning to benefit our Port Charlotte location. From tropical vibes to meaningful impact, she shares what makes this event a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Q: What inspired you to create Brighter Days Brunch?
After the Dice & Dreams event, I sent out a survey to our supporters and families to ask what they’d love to see next. A brunch and a luau kept coming up again and again, and brunch just felt like the perfect fit: relaxed, social, and joyful.

Q: What kind of atmosphere are you hoping guests feel when they walk in?
Joy, right away. I want people to arrive with a smile on their face. The event is meant to be lively and upbeat. We want laughter, music, and that feeling of spending the weekend with friends.

Q: Okay, we have to talk about the food, what’s on the menu?
We’re going all out! We’ll have french toast, mini croissant sandwiches, frittata & quiche options, BBQ pulled pork sliders, tropical fruits and more! It’s all-you-can-eat, plus a mimosa and bloody mary bar. And we’ll have live music playing, so it really feels like an island celebration.

Q: Why was it important for this event to focus on the Port Charlotte community?
Our Port Charlotte participants love being out in the community. They want to connect, be involved, and feel part of something bigger. This event gives them that chance while also bringing the community together to support a great cause.

Q: How is this brunch different from other fundraisers you’ve hosted?
The main goal of Brighter Days Brunch is to show the community how incredible and capable our participants are and to get them involved. They’ll be there helping to run many of the games and activities, which makes it more meaningful for everyone. Our recent Chopped Chef event was unique in that it focused on giving the community a glimpse at our programs, team building & life skills mentorship. Brighter Days Brunch is a more traditional fundraiser that we’re hoping becomes the signature event for Port Charlotte moving forward.

Q: Tell us a little about your background. How did you get into event planning?
I actually started my career in advertising. From there, I moved into organizing large corporate weekend getaways and events, sometimes with up to 400 attendees. So planning something like this brunch feels very natural for me. I love bringing people together and creating experiences they remember.

Q: What fun extras or surprises can guests expect?
They can purchase a fresh Hawaiian lei in advance to wear at the brunch! We also have some really exciting raffle prizes lined up! Right now we have four tickets to Universal Orlando Resort, two tickets to ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and a special surprise for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. There’s definitely something for everyone.

Q: What do you love most about planning an event like this?
Seeing people connect. Watching participants take pride in helping run things. And that moment when the room is full, music’s playing, and everyone’s just enjoying themselves, that’s the best part.

Q: What do you hope this event grows into long-term?
I’d love for it to become something people look forward to every year, a true tradition for the community.

Q: When guests leave Brighter Days Brunch, what do you hope they take with them?
I hope they leave with even bigger smiles on their faces and that it spreads the word about Loveland Center and the amazing work happening here in Port Charlotte. And maybe they’ll feel inspired to volunteer or get more involved. If someone leaves thinking, “How can I help?” then we’ve done our job.

Brighter Days Brunch in Paradise 🌴 — Sat, April 18, 11 AM–2 PM at Punta Gorda Elks Lodge (Punta Gorda, FL).
Tropical vibes for a cause — enjoy island‑inspired brunch, mimosas, live music, games, raffles, and more, all to support Loveland Center’s mission empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tickets are $60 (includes brunch + drinks).
👉 Click here for Tickets