CHAPTER 146
Caught in the Act of Kindness - September 2023
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
“Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Kody Gear, Kristina Gear and Olga Placeres
Preferred Travel of Naples participated in a day of service, with staff volunteering time to sort donations and create personal hygiene kits to be distributed to the Maui Food Bank for wildfire relief.
Security cart purchased through partnership with Lee Memorial Auxiliary for use by Lee Memorial Hospital’s Public Safety Team.
Lee Health employees donated $225,112 to support the advancement of health care during its Team Member Giving Campaign. Funds raised provide funding for equipment to enhance patient care, advanced skill training, certifications, attending conferences, and more.
Brynne and Bob Coletti covered costs of a back-to-school shopping trip for college-bound students at Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, as well as a new laptop for each teen.
Photo Credit: Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties
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Habitat for Humanity and Tampa Bay Lightning teamed up to build four homes for families in Fort Myers.
FLLEC patient whose vision has been restored.
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The Moorings Park Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to Florida Eye Clinic.
West Bay Community Charitable Foundation granted $15,000 to the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL.
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Rosey Gabourel, Sr. Admin. Asst., First Horizon; David Gordley, First Horizon Naples Market President; Steve Brooder, CEO St. Matthew's House; and Pam Malamphy, Grants Officer St. Matthew's House
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First Horizon Foundation, a charitable foundation of the First Horizon Bank, with the support of Naples Market President/EVP David Gordley, provided a $12,500 grant to St. Matthew’s House.
Board-certified music therapist Jillian Iurlano helps children at Avow Kids process grief.
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Suncoast Credit Union Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Avow to fund music therapy programming. Avow also received a $20,000 grant from the Moorings Park Foundation.
Felipe H., STARability participant and Outback Steakhouse employee. Photo credit: Zee Anna Photography
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Outback Steakhouse received a STAR Award from STARability Foundation for employing and providing vocational training to STARability participants who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Day Adjusting & Consulting donated $5,000 to Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs to help support the Heroes Fund, which was created to assist veterans, first responders and their assistance dogs immediately following Hurricane Ian.
The Marco Island Winn Dixie raised $70 to support For the Love of Cats at the store’s Community Bag Program.
The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL provided free period products to almost 2,500 at-risk school-age girls, teens and their moms at recent back-to-school events in Collier and Lee counties. It also received a $2,500 grant from the Collier Community Foundation.
More than 20 Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) employees, in partnership with Keep Lee County Beautiful, volunteered at Fort Myers Beach, in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, cleaning up several areas along the coast.
STARability Foundation partnered with Eagle Creek Country Club to offer a tennis program for individuals in its program.
Clayton Nelms, Justin Ebrite, Kevin Lins, Jackie Keay, Josh Bridges, Juan Leon and Jason Miller
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The Copperleaf Charitable Foundation and golf club expanded its partnership with Home Base Florida to support local veterans.
Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation provided $371,000 in grants to benefit Habitat for Humanity programs in Lee County.
More than 50 minor league players, coaches and staff members of the Boston Red Sox recently performed community service for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, laying sod at Habitat’s Prospect Avenue community in Fort Myers.
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
Baby Basics Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser
Baby Basics celebrates its successes through its annual fashion show, featuring the latest styles from local shops, pop-up shopping and, this year, an auction of the custom artwork created for the event by local artist Emily James.
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Who: Baby Basics of Collier County
What: 16th annual Fashion Show
When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
Where: An exclusive, local country club
Emcee: Lois Thome, WINK News
More Info: Click Here
