David Lawrence Centers received the following philanthropic gifts: Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation: $250,000, Michael and Shirley Benson: $100,000, the Clark Family Foundation: $50,000 and Richard “Dick” Levi: $25,000.
The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida raised more than $280,000 at its signature fundraising event, A Step Forward Overcoming Obstacles. Pictured are Lorna Fedelem, MD; Adria Starkey; and Marcy Doerr.
Kensington Golf & Country Club raised $210,000 for local veterans at its 12th Annual Home Base Golf and Family Day. Pictured are Armando Hernandez and General Fred Franks.
Lowe’s awarded a $110,000 Lowe’s Hometowns grant to Our Mother’s Home.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation awarded a $125,000 grant to Guadalupe Center (above left) and a $50,000 grant to Baker Senior Center Naples (above right) to help support the senior center’s “Lunch & More” program.
Valerie’s House awarded $54,000 in college scholarships to six Southwest Florida students who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Pictured are three of them: Kaitlyn McCormack, Sam Mejia and Kendall Sulmasy.
The Women's Foundation of Collier County awarded a $50,000 grant to the Immokalee Foundation Middle School Program. Pictured are students Danica P., Karen O. and Nathalie C.
The Community Trust Fund of the League Club awarded a $30,000 grant to Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL. Pictured are Sandy Snyder, The League Club board member, and Gail Kedrus, Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL board member.
United Way of Collier and the Keys awarded Guadalupe Center a $30,000 grant to support its After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program.
Truist Financial Corporation provided a $20,000 grant to Avow.
State Farm provided a grant of $20,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties to help low-income families affected by Hurricane Ian, including homeowner Jametria (pictured).
The Lighthouse Bay Charitable Foundation awarded $12,400 to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic. Pictured is Dr. Baker, volunteer Pediatric Ophthalmologist, with a FLLEC family at FLLEC Children's Eye Clinic.
Home Base Florida Pickleball Tournament raised $12,000 for veterans and military families.
The League Club awarded a $10,000 grant to Junior Achievement to support its programs and provide student supplies. Pictured is League Club President Denise Hadley presenting the grant to Stephanie Hoffman of Junior Achievement of SWFL.
Bank of America awarded a $10,000 grant to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded an $8,000 grant to Grace Place For Children & Families to support adult literacy.
Sunshine Ace Hardware raised $4,000 for Children’s Miracle Network at the grand opening of its Founders Square store.
The Florida Council on Aging and NextEra Energy Foundation/Florida Power & Light provided 102 seniors three days-worth of nourishing meals as part of the Hurricane Meal Distribution Project.
Blessings in a Backpack partnered with Champions 4 Children to deliver messages of hope, determination and inspiration during its Breakfast of Champions event to the children at Tice Elementary. Pictured are O.J. McDuffie, Tony the Tiger and Jerry Fort, who gave students words of encouragement along with their weekend meals.
The Greater Naples Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter donated $1,000 to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic at a fundraising event.
John and Kelly DeAngelis
Healthcare Network
Grow Church
Lisa Meszaros (third from left)
Mika Paz
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo
Cory and Jackson Burton
Norman Love
Lee Health Social Workers
Christ Community Church
Lutricia Burney
Mirline Sheridan
Suncoast Beverages
DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris
Better Together presented awards to the following community partners at appreciation events. Collier County: Host Family of the Year to Spencer and Adriana Adkins (not pictured), Doug Campbell Generosity Award to John and Kelly DeAngelis, Community Partner of the Year to Healthcare Network, Church of the Year to Grow Church, Department of Children and Families Partner of the Year to Lisa Meszaros, Mentor of the Year to Mika Paz and Champion for Strong Families to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. Lee County: Host Family of the Year to Cory and Jackson Burton, Doug Campbell Generosity Award to Norman Love, Community Partner of the Year to Lee Health Social Workers, Church of the Year to Christ Community Church, Department of Children and Families Partner of the Year to Lutricia Burney, Mentor of the Year to Mirline Sheridan and Champion for Strong Families to Suncoast Beverages and DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris.
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.
