CHAPTER 177
Caught in the Act of Kindness - October 2024
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
Residents started moving into their new homes, including Vietnam veteran in the Special Forces Daniel Mullins and Cynthia VanBibber who were formerly homeless. Photo courtesy of the Collier Community Foundation/broll
The Collier Community Foundation’s Collier Housing Impact Investment Fund made its first loan of nearly $1.3 million to cover impact fees, enabling the Ekos Allegro development for fixed-income seniors to open without a four to five month delay.
Collier Community Foundation awarded $5,000 to Warrior Homes of Collier to support donor outreach and help the nonprofit better manage and coordinate gifts such as the $500,000 pledge it received from an anonymous donor — its largest ever!
Thanks to a generous donation made by Freedom Waters Foundation, veterans enrolled in Home Base Florida’s Adventure Series Program enjoyed a dolphin sightseeing cruise with their families aboard Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine.
Collier Community Foundation awarded Grace Place for Children and Families a total of $60,000 in grants to provide program food and to benefit its middle school program and Bright Beginnings program. Additionally, the Moorings Park Foundation awarded the nonprofit $30,000 to support its high school afterschool program.
Advance the Faith’s Move Against Hunger Virtual 5K raised over $39,000 to provide over 39,000 meals and sponsor 43 children in Haiti, directly addressing the urgent food insecurity crisis on the island of La Gonave.
Women’s Foundation of Collier County awarded a $7,500 grant to support a mentoring program for teenage girls at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County.
With the help of a donated portable oxygen concentrator, Nancy is now able to breathe easier and enjoy greater mobility.
CRC Case Manager Marioly Soto with Joanne L., donor
The Moorings Park Foundation granted $30,000 to the Collier Resource Center to expand its Senior Outreach Program. Additionally, the Collier Community Foundation granted the nonprofit $2,640 for targeted marketing initiatives.
The Community Trust Fund of The League Club awarded $28,450 to the Goodwill Mobile Community Resource Center to assist Goodwill recruiters with their on-the-spot applications for employment at various community events.
The United Church of Marco’s Bargain Basket Thrift Store in-store fundraising program donated over $2,500 to its first recipient, For the Love of Cats, in support of its mission to save the lives of abandoned cats and kittens in the community.
The Calusa Sportsman Foundation’s fourth annual Inshore Benefit raised $177,000 to support Valerie’s House and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County.
Carol Harrison (Christ Child Society of Naples) and Dr. Deb Geller (Books for Collier Kids)
Christ Child Society of Naples awarded a $24,800 grant to Books for Collier Kids to help provide a steady stream of new books to children in low-income families throughout Collier County.
Jestheva Aesthetics Jessica Young and Dr. Edna May Seymour (Wags To Wishes) and Grace Angel Reuthe (Collier County DAS)
Collier County Domestic Animal Services raised $20,000 at the 2024 Naples Puppy Prom in support of its animal shelter.
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation donated $10,000 to Fun Time Early Childhood Academy to assist with children’s tuition. Additionally, the Collier Community Foundation granted $5,000 to the nonprofit to support its Healthy Start for Low-Income Children program.
DLC CEO Scott Burgess and First Horizon Bank Market President David Gordley
First Horizon Foundation awarded David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health a $10,000 grant to support its Access to Care for All Fund.
MIHS CEO Pat Rutledge, Greater Marco Island Community Fund Member Allyson Richards, Vice President of Grantmaking Laura Simmelink, and MIHS Curator of Collections Heather Otis - Photo courtesy of MIHS
The Greater Marco Island Community Fund of Collier Community Foundation granted $7,500 to The Marco Island Historical Society to help restore the impressive six-foot bronze Key Marco Cat sculpture in the Marco Island Historical Museum courtyard.
Tommy and Katie Bohanon presents check to Goodwill SWFL CEO and President John Nadeau and Director of Disability Services Jessica Tursi
The Tommy Bohanon Foundation awarded a $5,000 sports equipment grant to Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s Pathways to Opportunity program.
The Senior Friendship Centers Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Baker Senior Center Naples to support the senior center’s recently introduced Memory Café program, the only program of its kind in Collier County.
Sunshine Ace Hardware customers purchased nearly 900 specially marked buckets during its annual Miracle Bucket Sale, generating $4,442 to enhance pediatric care through Children’s Miracle Network.
Volunteer Gary Elliott with Baby Basics President and Founder Jean Ann Lynch and husband Dick Lynch delivering diapers to the Marco site
The Greater Marco Island Community Fund of Collier Community Foundation granted $1,000 to Baby Basics of Collier County to provide more than a year’s worth of diapers for babies in need on Marco Island.
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.
