CHAPTER 207
Caught in the Act of Kindness - January 2026
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how much time it will take to have the impact." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Marc Garwood presents Donna Demeo Legacy Gift to Noemi Y. Perez at The Immokalee Foundation
The Donna Demeo Trust awarded The Immokalee Foundation a $3.48 million legacy gift to support its innovative Career Pathways programming. Additionally, Collier Community Foundation provided a $50,000 grant for the organization’s nationally recognized Career Pathways career development initiative.
Margaret Finnerty, Alexandria Saputo, Anna Foley, Blake Day, Mimi Treadway and Patricia Benvenuto
Day Adjusting and Consulting presented a $1,000 check to the VFW Auxiliary Post 7721 in support of its holiday project, Mission: Operation Christmas Cards for Veterans, which sent 16,000 holiday cards to veterans across the country.
Sandra Heinrich, Sandy Youngquist, Gretchen Mezynieski, Barbara Hendrix, Rachel Pierce, Fran Fenning, Elaine Hawkins, Fred Hawkins; Credit: Shane Antalick Photography
Sunset Hunger, a private event to generate awareness and support for the growing hunger crisis in Southwest Florida, raised $1 million to support hunger-relief programs through Harry Chapin Food Bank. Additionally, Collier Community Foundation awarded $55,000 to help the food bank fortify its Golden Gate Mobile Pantry Program.
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in support of its Community Action Team program.
Credit: Zee Anna Photography
STARability Foundation raised more than $90,000 at its Eighth Annual Run, Walk and Roll 5K, which will be used to expand the nonprofit’s services.
The Lal Gaynor Legacy Fund at Collier Community Foundation gifted $20,000 to Charity for Change to help serve an additional 500 Collier County children.
Circle of Friends hosted its Circle of Friends Walk raising $4,794 in support of Collier Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission to help improve the lives of abused children in Collier County.
Tony Morganstein and Maureen Schneider, winner of the Game 6 Ferragamo bag
Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida raised more than $75,000 — a record-breaking amount — at its annual Bingo for Bags & Baubles fundraiser. The Moorings Park Foundation Board also granted $10,000 to the nonprofit.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Delta Alpha Epsilon Zeta Chapter donated five “All Things Purple” Christmas baskets to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. Volunteers from Arthrex Inc. also donated their time to clean and organize a Christmas gifts and supplies area at the shelter, creating a more welcoming and efficient space.
Florida Blue Foundation granted $10,000 to Avow in support of its bereavement programs.
Lindsey Touchette, Shane Young and Michael Puchalla
Collier Community Foundation granted $50,000 to The Housing Alliance to support its Housing Navigator Program.
The inaugural Beyond the Bookshelf Luncheon raised an astounding $350,000 in support of Grace Place for Children and Families.
Collier Community Foundation granted $5,000 to Help a Diabetic Child to prepare for the future with a professional consultant.
Collier Community Foundation awarded a $40,000 grant to the Healthcare Network to expand its Remote Patient Monitoring program for high-risk maternal and chronic care patients across Collier County.
The 21st annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride & Walk raised nearly $27,000 to help fund Naples Pathways Coalition’s mission to create a safe, walkable, and bikeable community and advance its keystone projects, including the more than 100-mile Paradise Coast Trail.
Arthrex Inc. team unloads donated gifts for Collier CAC.
Arthrex Inc. collected gifts for 70 families, including more than 175 children, through the Collier Children’s Advocacy Center’s Adopt-A-Family program.
Suffolk Construction Company’s Estero office Holiday Giving Tour began at Naples Comprehensive Health’s Pediatric Unit with clothing for children and mothers, continued at Orange River Elementary in Lee County with bikes for students, and concluded at Maria’s Birthday Wishes for the Homeless with more than 200 gifts distributed to those in need.
2025 Neighborhood Bash Committee - Kate Pavlik-Klaus, Chair Jennifer Weldon, Roxanne Whiddon
Neighborhood Health Clinic proudly recognized its generous supporters and volunteers, including the leadership behind this year’s event (pictured above), at its Neighborhood Bash ~ Party, Hats Off to Health.
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.
