CHAPTER 143
Caught in the Act of Kindness - August 2023
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
​Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life. ~Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), a $175,000 grant to Neighborhood Health Clinic (NHC) and a $50,000 grant for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s Summer Enrichment Program. Above at the NHC check presentation are (L-R) Keith Maples, Chief Development Officer, NHC; Mary Beth Geier, Region Coordinator, RMSFF and Leslie Lascheid, CEO, NHC.
Naples Children & Education Foundation awarded a $105,000 grant to Avow to fund grief and loss support services, including art therapy (pictured above) used to help with children's grief.
Moorings Park Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to Baker Senior Center Naples to expand its weekly classes.
Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation awarded a $23,000 grant to Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL.
Golisano Foundation Bailey and Friends awarded a $2,600 grant to Avow to purchase robotic pets for children in palliative care.
Blake Day (left) presented Pastor Arnie Coones of REACH Assembly in Immokalee (right) a $1,000 check to buy back-to-school supplies for the children of Immokalee.
Bikes for Tykes partnered with Lipman Family Farms for its annual Back to School Giveaway event, giving out 300 new bikes to children.
Fifth Third Bank and The Glitter Foundation partnered to provide a summer community art outreach project to visually impaired children between the ages of 8 and 12.
Photo Credit: Sharon Tolnai
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Department of Juvenile Justice participated in a G.A.A.P. (Gaining Appreciation by Adjusting Perspectives) discussion hosted by Pace Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee to foster positive relationships with the girls. Pictured above are Yuritza, Cpl. Jeff Wray, Mercedez, Ashyah, Shantal, Amya, Alyze, Cpt. A. Yzaguirre, Connie Ledbetter and Sandra Ferguson.
The women’s and men’s basketball teams at FGCU recently hosted a pair of free basketball clinics for children and teens in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s Summer Enrichment Program.
The all-volunteer Books for Collier Kids has added Pelican Marsh, Tommie Barfield and Vineyards Elementary schools to the list of 29 Collier County schools being provided new, age appropriate, personalized books to students.
Big Arts & PACE Collaboration
Heights Center
BIG ARTS Sanibel Island partnered with Pace Center for Girls in Fort Myers and the Heights Center Summer Camp to conduct professionally led art classes.
Collier Senior Center-Golden Gate is partnering with the Healthcare Network to hold a bi-monthly health clinic.
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.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT – SIZZLE WEEK
Sizzle Dining
Join us for the ultimate culinary experience!
Sizzle Dining is the most anticipated food-centric event in Southwest Florida. From Sept. 7-27, more than 90 of Southwest Florida's best restaurants come together to delight your taste buds, make a positive impact on our community and support a great cause! Savor exquisite meals while giving back to Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, as $1 from every Sizzle Dining meal purchased will benefit this incredible organization dedicated to providing food for children in need.
Link to: https://www.sizzledining.com/
