Caught in the Act of Kindness - May 2022
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
There are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind. ~ Mister Rogers
CHAPTER 86
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.
Naples Woman’s Club awarded a $19,600 grant to St. Vincent de Paul Naples to assist the local elderly and less fortunate through the SVdP Meals On Wheels and Choice Food Pantry programs.
PBS Contractors in Naples raised more than $15,000 for Wounded Warriors of Collier County.
At The League Club’s recent Briefcase Breakfast, at which 28 local nonprofit organizations were awarded $429,325 in total, nonprofit grant recipients had the opportunity to learn about other organizations’ needs and activities, gaining important insight and deepening their knowledge of community needs outside their area of impact.
The women of The League Club appreciate this invaluable opportunity to live the club’s mission of education, voluntarism and philanthropy, and execute on its “Commitment to Community.”
The Founders Scholarship Fund awarded 28 Collier County Students with College Scholarships totaling $672,000.
Blonde Ambition Band
Youth Haven, Inc.’s inaugural Starry Nights Gala raised over $1,000,000 for the children and teens that depend on Youth Haven for Home, Hope and Healing.
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County received a $300,000 matching challenge grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. The challenge was successfully matched by a second donor for a total of $600,000 raised to construct three townhomes in Naples.
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida's annual Business Hall of Fame event raised more than $276,000 and honored the 2022 Laureates: Larry Lipman, chairman of the board & former CEO of Lipman Family Farms; Ingrid Aielli & Chef Fabrizio Aielli, owners of Aielli Restaurant Group; and Brian Rist, co-founder of Rist Family Foundation.
Bond girl 1, Teri Ware, Bond, Julie Fisher, Marcia Azar and Bond girl 2.
Multiple Sclerosis Center of Southwest Florida’s “A Vintage Affair: Diamonds are Forever” raised $240,000 for local services.
First place winning team and presenting sponsor, Accanito Capital Group, reps: Brent Seaman, Founder & CEO; Jana Seaman, Chief Strategy Officer; Blake Cathey, Chief Operations Officer of Accanito Capital Group; Tara Allison; Sue Flynn; Leslie Sista; and Katherine Briguglio. Credit: Kim Cortez,Unique Memorable Moments Photography
St. Matthew’s House Dean Lind Memorial Golf Classic presented by Accanito Capital Group raised more than $200,000.
Collier’s Reserve Country Club raised more than $200,000 over the past 18 months for Pace Center for Girls in Immokalee. Funds were put toward a new art center, improvements to one of Pace’s therapy rooms and the purchase of physical fitness equipment.
Veteran Services USA hosted “Rockin’ with the Seals” golf tournament, which raised more than $200,000 to support the organization's new PTSD program.
Avow received $25,000 in funding from NextFifty Initiative for its bereavement program.
Women's Foundation of Collier County raised $130,000 in donations and pledges at a "Gather for Good" event to benefit homeless senior women as part of its Women Lifting Women campaign.
Pelican Marsh Golf Club’s 4th Annual Charity Event raised over $115,000 for Youth Haven.
Amanda Reiss and Madison Clearman, Best Buddies FGCU chapter
Despite cancellation of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, due to severe weather, the organization surpassed its $80,000 goal with an online event.
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, raised $30,612 at its sold-out “Jazz on the Harbor” event to support Southwest Florida children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
Swinging with Purpose awarded $82,500 in grant fulfillments to beneficiary organizations.
Dr. Larry Antonucci, president/CEO Lee Health; Hunter Fields, scholarship recipient; Ana Vieira, scholarship recipient; Mark Ain, philanthropist; Mike Wukitsch, chief people officer Lee Health; and Armando Llechu, chief officer, hospital-based care Lee Health. Not pictured: Jennifer Guevara and Amber Newton.
Lee Health awarded “Heart of Caring” donor-supported full scholarships to Certified Nursing Assistants Hunter Fields, Jennifer Guevara, Amber Newborn and Ana Vieira, putting them on the path to earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System Pathways now provides enhanced benefits to help employees eliminate existing student debt faster, pursue additional professional education and advance their careers.