CHAPTER 215
Caught in the Act of Kindness - May 2026
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
“Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path. An accumulation of small acts can change the world.” ~ Robin Hobb
FSF Board Members Linda Tyson, Donna Issenmann and Michael Balgord
The Founders Scholarship Fund of Club Pelican Bay raised more than $1.3 million at its 2026 Ed Brennan Memorial Banquet & Golf Tournament to award scholarships to deserving graduating high school students in Collier County.
Pelican Marsh Golf Club Charities, Inc. raised more than $300,000 at its 8th annual charity golf event for its 2026 beneficiaries, including Pace Center for Girls, Gigi’s Playhouse, and Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee — organizations dedicated to empowering youth, supporting families and strengthening the community.
Kensington Golf & Country Club raised more than $250,000 at its 15th Annual General (Ret.) Fred Franks Golf & Family Day to benefit Home Base Florida and its mission to provide health and wellness support to Florida veterans and their families.
The Naples Children Foundation awarded $1 million to Collier Children’s Advocacy Center to strengthen its response to child abuse in Collier County, while the Naples Woman’s Club granted the organization $7,885 to support its trauma-informed therapy services for children.
CAN's Michelle Ciuffetelli with golf ball winner Sara Goad at Naples Lakes Country Club (credit: Cancer Alliance Network)
Naples Lakes Country Club raised more than $100,000 at its third annual Tee’d Off at Cancer fundraiser, while Foxfire Golf and Country Club raised more than $30,000 at its dinner auction, both benefiting the Cancer Alliance Network and its mission to assist local cancer patients and their families.
IFHA CEO Arol Buntzman with representatives of the 100+ Women Who Care of Talis Park
The 100+ Women Who Care of Talis Park donated $10,000 to Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, supporting its mission to provide safe, affordable housing for families in Immokalee.
Event Chairs Dr. Deborah Houk, Rufino Hernandez, Christine Lublin and Sheliah Wall (credit: Helen Werner Photography)
Youth Haven raised more than $2.6 million at its 2026 Starry Nights Gala, and the Naples Children Foundation awarded the nonprofit a $500,000 grant to support its mission of providing home, hope and healing for youth who have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness.
Executives representing the 29 nonprofit agencies who received grants
The League Club awarded $785,651 in grants to 29 local nonprofits supporting food insecurity, housing and shelter needs, education and training, healthcare, and basic essentials, made possible through The League Club’s Community Trust Fund and proceeds from its signature annual fundraiser, NAPLES TABLES®.
Freedom Institute of Collier County students hosted a Freedom Fair as part of the Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy Impact Project, raising $2,150 for Golisano Children’s Hospital while also collecting toys for young patients in need.
Paul and Linda O'Connell, Dale Mullin, David Bird, Shelley and Gary Moorhead
The Vasari Cares Foundation granted $18,000 to Warrior Homes of Collier to support the Zulu Project, the nonprofit’s latest efforts to end veteran homelessness in Collier County.
Books for Collier Kids Board Member Steven Feldman and The League Club President Diane Frisicaro
The Community Trust Fund of The League Club, Inc. awarded a $16,020 grant to Books for Collier Kids, supporting the organization’s mission to supply every child in Collier County with a book to read at home.
The Vasari Cares Foundation donated $12,000 to New Horizons of SWFL to help support its after-school and summer programs.
The Foglia Family Foundation granted $200,000 to Grace Place to support the expansion of its high school student internship program, and the Baker Family Foundation granted the nonprofit $10,000 to support its elementary school after-school program.
Circle of Friends hosted a "Walk for Collier Resource Center,” raising more than $5,000 in support of Collier Resource Center's mission to provide case management and follow-up care to some of the most vulnerable people in Collier County.
Neighborhood Health Clinic CEO Keith Maples, Board Member Kate Williams-Whitely, and Board President Leslie Lascheid
Neighborhood Health Clinic raised more than $1.6 million at its Celebration of Hope and Healing dinner. Additionally, Grey Oaks Country Club members gifted the Clinic $109,750 through the Grey Oaks Cares Week of Giving initiative, while The League Club donated $20,000 for the purchase of a portable DRS Plus Retinal Camera. Kelleher + Holland, LLC also gifted the Clinic more than $7,000 raised through its 2026 K+H Naples Classic. Together, the contributions strengthen the Clinic’s ability to deliver high-quality healthcare to patients at no cost.
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.
