CHAPTER 130
Caught in the Act of Kindness - April 2023
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world. ~Harold Kusher
The Wynn family announced a $1 million gift in support of enhanced cardiac care at the NCH Baker Hospital. The donation will go toward building the new proposed cardiac and stroke facility on the downtown campus.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s 19th Annual Magic Under the Mangroves gala raised more than $1.4 million for programs to protect the water, land, wildlife and future of Southwest Florida.
Avow and Charity for Change each received a $10,000 grant from Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church.
St. Matthew’s House received a $37,200 donation from the Moorings Park Golf & Country Club Women’s Golf Association. And Community School of Naples students held a food donation event for St. Matthew's House to alleviate hunger in our community.
Avow’s 2023 Butterfly Release raised more than $40,000 to benefit its hospice and community programs.
Child’s Path Teacher Connor Seip with student Joycee F.
Child's Path received a $10,000 grant from Suncoast Credit Union.
Fort Myers homeowner Nancy Jackson received a total home rebuild thanks to a partnership between nonprofit Lee BIA Builders Care and Southwest Florida homebuilder Christopher Alan Homes. More than 30 of Christopher Alan Homes’ trade partners also provided generous support to this no-cost home improvement project.
Wonder Gardens’ Enchanted Gala raised $468,000 for enhancements to the Gardens.
Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL received a $3,000 grant from Marco Island Community Fund.
Bernie Blickenstaff, Brenda Ruth, Beverly Fanning, Ingrid Aielli and Fabrizio Aielli
Youth Haven, Inc. raised over $1.3 million for the children and teens that depend on Youth Haven for home, hope and healing. The organization also was a recipient of in-kind funding from "CC's Wishlist," a program of the Lavin Family Foundation.
Greater Naples Leadership. Standing: Ajit Desai, Murray Yost, Joe Kubarek, Kitty Keane, Sharon Porcellio, Fred Sasser, Maura Delehanty, Beth Stein, Lawrence Kahn, Diana Kahn, Joel Lipman and Fred Reynolds. Kneeling: Yone Schwab, Mark Schwab, Paul Myerson, Phil Messer and Donna Messer
Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) completed a volunteer project for a Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home located in the Habitat Collier Whitaker Woods community.
Joe Cox, Hilary Schmitz, Suzanne Otterbeck, Vickie Nolen, Elizabeth Star, Goldie Hawn, Robin Stranahan, Katie Russo, Sue Lennane and George Zundell
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health’s (DLC) Sound Minds™ Celebration featuring Goldie Hawn raised more than $560,000.
Q and A with players
Home Base veteran participants and their family members
The 30th annual 2023 Boston Red Sox Celebrity Classic raised $378,000 for pediatric neurosurgery at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Also, in partnership with Home Base Florida, the Red Sox Foundation honored veteran participants and their families at Spring Training Day season opener.
Tommy and Katie Bohanon with Tito Ortiz
The Tommy Bohanon Foundation 5th annual Playmaker’s Tailgate Party Charity event raised $215K for programs benefiting Southwest Florida at-risk youth.
TD Bank donated $150,000 to the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University to provide technical assistance to area small businesses to help them recover from Hurricane Ian.
Jenny Cellitti, Sally Jackson, Kelly Fayer, Gail Markham and Kellie Urban
Pace Center for Girls, Lee’s 15th Annual Grande Dames Tea raised a record $155,000.
Jersey Mike’s raised $125,618 for Golisano Children’s Hospital during March and Day of Giving.
Gulfshore Opera’s Season 9 Gala raised over $100,000.
Evening at the Ballpark drew nearly 150 supporters and sponsors to JetBlue Park.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County raised baseball IQ and support during Evening at the Ballpark.
Valerie’s House received a donation of $100,000 in landscaping services from Fort Myers-based Juniper.
Tammy Zinn, Maryann Brown, Arlene Bettencourt, Natalie Matricardi and Alicia Fogel
The Colors of the Sea Fashion Show raised more than $47,000 to benefit the Lee Health Cancer Institute.
​Habitat 2023 Good Friday Build Volunteers Group
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties welcomed community leaders on a Good Friday Build, painting the interior and exterior of a newly constructed home in Lehigh.
For consideration in Caught in the Act of Kindness, email an example of how an individual, group or organization went above and beyond to help those in need to inspireme@ebellamag.com. Please include a related high-resolution photo as well.
