On Saturday, March 15, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva hosted the 2025 “Peek at the Unique,” a follow-up to last year’s successful return of this much-loved annual event. The annual guided home tour, first launched in 2002, raises funds to help make life better for women and girls in Southwest Florida and around the world through Zonta International.
The event sold out early, with buses added to bring the total number of “Peekers” to more than 260. A force of over 50 volunteers—Zontians, their friends and family members, plus members of the SanCap Kiwanis, provided help and support along the way as greeters, guides in the homes, even parking attendants. At home base, the Sanibel Community House, a colorful raffle table plus auction items added to the proceeds, along with delicious treats provided by Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream.
Under sunny skies, the 2025 “Peek,” with a theme of Showcasing Sanibel Resilience, topped last year’s numbers and was again a hit with supporters old and new. The flexible bus schedule allowed guests the opportunity to stay longer, if they wished, or leave sooner from each property. Guests rode on comfortable air-conditioned buses to four unique homes, including a 36-year-old mid-island home that has undergone several transformations; a formerly ground-level home successfully elevated post-hurricane; a home with eco-sensibilities, reflecting its owners’ love of nature; and a water-view home with safety features and reflecting its owners’ global travels. Some homeowners were present to answer questions and chat with Peekers, a bonus that delights tour guests.
At time of writing, net proceeds were at least $46,000. All proceeds from Zonta’s fundraising efforts are awarded in grants to local non-profits whose work parallels the Zonta mission of making women’s lives better in terms of health, safety, education and self-reliance.
Zonta thanks all the generous homeowners who welcomed Peekers into their homes, and the following: House sponsors Davie Shoring; Island Home Service/Tree West; John Grey Painting; and S.A.M. Builders, Inc. Bank of the Islands generously sponsored home base. For a complete list of all sponsors and benefactors, visit www.zontasancap.org or check Zonta’s Facebook page.
