Caught in the Act of Kindness - August 2022
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love and an act of kindness. ~ Mary Davis
CHAPTER 98
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.
The Collier Community Foundation provided a grant of $115,000, including $60,000 from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, to Collier County Public Schools to supply school uniforms for families in need.
Avow Hospice, Inc. received an $85,000 grant from the Naples Children & Education Foundation.
Florida Blue Foundation awarded Child's Path a $45,000 grant.
Scholarship recipient Beckham Borgerink
The SWFL Gator Club, a local chapter of the University of Florida Alumni Association, awarded a record-breaking $20,000 to 17 local students who will attend the University of Florida.
The League Club awarded a $20,000 grant to Guadalupe Center to support the Out of School and Tutor Corps programs.
Yenifer Diaz, Healthcare Network; Alan Penick, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance; John “Trey” Fletcher, Healthcare Network; Arol Buntzman, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance; Dr. Martine Wooley, Healthcare Network, and board member, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance.
Healthcare Network matched its employee contributions to Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance (IFHA), creating a total donation exceeding $13,700.
Shelter Community Resource Manager Jan Fernandez, Redson Joseph, Louis Louisma, Berose Appolon, Wadson Louisma and Janet Bernard
The Arby’s on Pine Ridge Road selected The Shelter for Abused Women & Children as the beneficiary of $1,720 raised from its semi-annual “Make a Difference” drive.
Local philanthropists Francis and Kathleen Rooney donated $8 million to support the establishment of the NCH Heart, Vascular and Stroke Institute, planned for a 2025 opening.
NoVo Foundation founders Jennifer and Peter Buffett
Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance received $1 million from NoVo Foundation for an affordable housing complex.
Florence, a 97-year-old previously homeless woman, unpacks groceries in her new home. Photo courtesy of the Hunger & Homeless Coalition
Women’s Foundation of Collier County granted $200,000 to local organizations for homeless senior women case management and young women empowerment.
Angela Katz, LARC executive director
Lee Association of Remarkable Citizens (LARC) received $140,000 in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) mental health initiative.
The Women’s Foundation of Collier County provided an $80,000 grant to Naples Senior Center as well as a $32,500 grant to expand the charity’s UPSLIDE program to Goodlette-Arms. The organization also received a $57,000 grant from Moorings Park and a $30,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.
Valerie's House awarded $50,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have found support through Valerie's House grief support programs.
MidWestOne Bank made a $20,000 donation to Pace Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee.
CFS Roofing Services donated the underlayment and labor, valued at $15,000, to install the shingle and metal roof for the new Valerie’s House. Shingles for the roof will be provided at no cost by GAF & ABC Roofing.
Youth Haven received a $10,000 grant from Empty Bowls Naples.
The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL received a $7,500 grant from Swinging with Purpose.
Fifth Third Bank awarded $5,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Naples to help Honoring Seniors and Guiding Families in Collier County.
Aline Dort, Rebecca Henkind, Juliana Pena Lopez and Emma Stock
The Foundation of Collier County Medical Society awarded its 2022 Foundation Healthcare Scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
Pam Gruchala, Melinda Lawmaster and Michael Wynn of Sunshine Ace Hardware with Dawn Montecalvo of Guadalupe Center
Sunshine Ace Hardware’s ‘Back-to-School Round Up’ raised $3,546 for Guadalupe Center.
Paul Arsenault is collaborating with Youth Haven children and teens to paint an original mural on its campus. The theme of the mural is "The Critters of the Everglades."
Community cats of Collier County were the beneficiaries of over 6,000 lbs. of food donated from members of the Collier County Veterinary Society, Hill’s Science Diet Pet Food and For the Love of Cats.
Children in foster care receive backpacks and ballpark treats at ‘Back to School with the Blue,’ coordinated by the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit.