Caught in the Act of Kindness - December 2022
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle. ~Charles Glassman
CHAPTER 114
Ashley Maher, Sarah Owen and Eileen Connolly-Keesler
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Charlotte Community Foundation, Collaboratory and Collier Community Foundation each received a
check for $125,000 from the State of Florida, presented by Governor Ron DeSantis for rebuilding Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian.
Champions For Learning has joined forces with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to secure a $350,000 gift to assist Collier County educators with housing and transportation challenges following the destruction of Hurricane Ian.
Immokalee Foundation high school students participate in a Business Management Entrepreneurship Pathway activity at FGCU.
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Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation is providing a two-year grant to The Immokalee Foundation for $340,000.
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County raised $310,000 at its Fore-the-Kids golf tournament.
Lighthouse of Collier raised more than $100,000 toward its programs and services that directly benefit the visually impaired community within Collier County.
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. If you have a related high-resolution photo, please include that as well.
“Arts Heal,” presented by Florida Gulfshore Ballet at Artis—Naples, raised funds to help restore and strengthen the arts community across Lee and Collier counties. Proceeds will be received and disbursed by Collier Community Foundation’s Arts Heal Fund and Collaboratory’s Fund for the Arts in Southwest Florida.
Opera Naples’ concert, “¡Olé! A Celebration of Spanish Song,” raised funds to support the Opera Naples Rebuilding Fund and efforts to recover and rebuild the first floor and theater at the Wang Opera Center.
Lee Health employees outside hospital
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The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation donated $50,000 to support Lee Health employees who selflessly cared for their patients during and after Hurricane Ian.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s RedSnook Kickoff Party raised more than $70,000 for hurricane rebuilding and recovery.
Pace Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee partnered with Mercato to host its 11th Annual Brew Ha Ha Craft Beer Festival, raising $30,000.
Ms. Judy at Covenant SKC reading a book with 1st grader Abby
Child checking glucose
The Collier Community Foundation provided a $15,000 grant to support tutoring, mentoring and character-building programs for K-5 students to New Horizons of SWFL and a $10,000 grant to Help A Diabetic Child.
Pelican Marsh residents held an inaugural Tri-Court Challenge, raising $22,465 to benefit educational programs at Guadalupe Center in Immokalee.
An Immokalee Foundation middle school student explores aspects of the Business Management Entrepreneurship Pathway with a member of the Foundation's staff
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Bank of America awarded The Immokalee Foundation a $10,000 grant to support its career exploration initiatives.
Pastor Ed Brandt and Kari Lefort
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Collier Resource Center received a $1,000 donation from Lely Presbyterian Church.
Student Philanthropy Council check presentation to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
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The Student Philanthropy Council, a partnership between Collier Community Foundation and the Leadership Collier Foundation (LCF) of the Greater Naples Chamber, granted $10,000 to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Meals of Hope and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida to benefit programs for mental health, homelessness or hunger and affordable housing.
The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL received a grant for $8,000 from the Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation and a grant for $1,500 from Children’s Services Foundation of SWFL.
At its Turkey Give-a-Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, Harry Chapin Food Bank and dozens of volunteers distributed turkeys, side dishes and hurricane relief supplies to more than 400 Southwest Florida families in advance of Thanksgiving.
Elisabeth Yancey as Shelby, Karen Peakes as Truvy, Beth Hylton as M’Lynn and Angie Janas as Annelee. Photo by Matthew Schipper
Gulfshore Playhouse provided free admission to Hurricane Ian first responders throughout the Nov. 10-Dec. 11 run of its “Steel Magnolias” performances.
Better Together CEO Megan Rose delivers Thanksgiving meals. Photo by Kinfay
Better Together distributed Thanksgiving meals and supplies to more than 100 local families recovering from Hurricane Ian.