Dave Horton Donates Logo Design for 14th Annual 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H.

“It’s a labor of love,” says Dave Horton, creator of Hortoons.  “For the last 14 years, I’ve designed the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. logo and am thrilled to offer this year’s cartoon showcasing FISH’s 40^th anniversary logo, carried by none other than our native alligator.” 

Since high school, Horton has been producing amusing cartoon drawings for newsprint until he landed a deal with Hallmark in his late teen years.  When he and his wife moved to Florida, Hortoons was created and is widely known as ‘brilliant, zany and irreverent, bringing a surprisingly fresh and funny look at life in the Sunshine State’. Now, David Horton’s cartoons are syndicated in newspapers all around Florida, but Sanibel was the first.

Horton, a member of the National Cartoonists Society, hopes is to make people laugh through his artwork.  He recalls his mom saying he was drawing cartoons on everything in the house from the time he was born. Known as Southwest Florida’s most original cartoonist, Horton has shared his love of art by teaching cartooning classes to kids on Sanibel.  His work is published regionally in several newspapers and his t-shirt designs are a staple of gift shops throughout the entire state of Florida.

Says Race Committee Chair Nicole McHale, “Dave is such a delight to be around and an extremely talented artist.  Honestly, one of the main draws to our 10K Race is his logo, different every year, which we print on our race shirts.  We are so grateful to have Dave’s support and happy to share his humorous designs through the annual 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H.” Each year, participating runners receive a race tank, with the Hortoon 10K logo on the front.

The 14^th Annual 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H., scheduled as an in-person and virtual event for 2022, is held in conjunction with the Fort Myers Track Club.  Registration is currently open for the fall race using the RunSignup platform at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Sanibel/SanibelIsland10KRace4FISH.

FISH has been assisting islanders since 1982 as a ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ organization. Started as a group of volunteer residents, FISH has grown to offer over 30 programs and services. Ranging from food programs to financial assistance with rent or medical bills; senior programs to prevent isolation and other supports for aging-in-place, FISH offers something for everyone. Last year alone FISH distributed over 5,000 meals to homebound seniors; 4,294 food backpacks to children; over 255,000 pounds of food, equating to 213,316 meals; and paid 847 rent, medical and utility bills for those in crisis. The organization is proud to have provided 1064 doses of the COVID vaccine at pop-up clinics for island seniors and at-risk community members in 2021. For additional information on the FISH organization and their programs and services, please contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director at 239-472-4775 or visit their website at www.fishofsancap.org. 

For additional information on the 10K Race including sponsorship, please contact Diane Cortese, Race Committee Chair, at Dianerc10@gmail.com or Nicole McHale, Race Committee Chair, at noel2me@icloud.com.