Better Together and Rise Christian Church are partnering to host a community job fair for Lehigh Acres-area residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3. The church-based job fair not only connects job seekers with local employers who are ready to hire, but also provides resources to facilitate stronger connections and more [...]
United Way of Charlotte County has directed a pair of grants to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, to support programs serving children and teens who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. United Way of Charlotte County provided $18,000 for the foundation’s Children’s Needs Program, which funds “extras” like birthday parties, tutoring, summer [...]
Family Initiative has launched additional programs and playgroups for children and families diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). “By listening to the children and families we serve, Family Initiative has created new programs that address the needs of their entire family, including siblings, as well as expanding our reach to new parents looking to support [...]
Budget-conscious fashionistas oohed and aahed as models sported the latest designer styles during Guadalupe Resale Shop’s annual Fashion Show and Private Sale. The sold-out March 19 event attracted nearly 120 women and featured volunteers wearing 30 outfits plucked from the showroom floor at Guadalupe Resale Shop, a boutique in North Naples. Models wore trendy cocktail [...]
The Bobby Nichols-Fiddlesticks Charity Foundation presented $1.7 million in grants to six designated charities of the 21st annual Nichols Cup tournaments and auction gala, serving abused and at-risk children in Southwest Florida. The fundraising efforts were distributed at the Piper’s annual meeting on March 28 among the Foundation’s two primary charity partners, Children’s Advocacy Center [...]
A pair of charitable 5K runs and 2-mile walks to benefit local head and neck cancer patients is returning to south Florida. The Broward County edition of the annual Partners in Care 5K/2-Mile Walk happens at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 22 at Quiet Waters Park, 401 Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. That same weekend, [...]
A charitable 5K run and 2-mile walk to benefit head and neck cancer patients is coming to upstate California. The inaugural Partners in Care 5K/2-Mile Walk happens at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 16 at Lake Redding Park, 2275 Benton Rd., Redding, CA 96003. Registration is open now through race day, with an entry fee of [...]
10 Twenty Five in downtown Fort Myers is hosting its third annual Autism Acceptance Cornhole tournament fundraiser on Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. to benefit Family Initiative. “More than just fun and games, this event will help us raise awareness of autism acceptance as well as raise funds to purchase and build a sensory [...]
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, is hosting a Parents’ Night Out event on Friday, April 7 in Fort Myers. The program offers parents, grandparents and other caregivers access to a couple of hours of no-cost care for children ages infant through 17 years old. Better Together will provide background-checked volunteers in [...]
In an effort to spur community support and energize fundraising for a planned Black Cultural Center, Attorney Joe North and his family including his wife Benita, son, Joe North Jr., daughter, Kem Longo, and Joe’s father, James North, presented a check for $100,000 to the Lee County Black History Society on March 15 at the [...]
The 7th Annual Kids’ Minds Matter Signature Event: Reflect & Envision took place March 8 at the Innovation Hotel in Naples. The event inspired long-time supporters as well as significant contributions from new donors to raise more than $800,000. “A kaleidoscope metaphor is how we can view the landscape of mental healthcare for children in [...]
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Collier County is moving administrative offices and all services into the former Naples Senior Center building at 5025 Castello Drive in Naples. The move will take place in March and the building will be open April 3. Previously, NAMI Collier’s programs were held in several rented spaces, with the [...]
During March, enjoy subs at any of the Jersey Mike’s locations in Southwest Florida and a portion of your purchase will be donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital. The month-long campaign culminates March 29 with Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving, when 13 local restaurants will donate 100% of the day’s sales to Golisano Children’s Hospital. Last [...]
Spirit Halloween presented a $57,794 check to the Child Life professionals of Golisano Children’s Hospital Feb. 21. The funds were part of the Spirit of Children campaign held last October, when the company also gifted $4,200 in costumes, decorations and crafts – helping to make Halloween fun and the hospital less scary for the children [...]
Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance celebrated the start of construction for the first of eight apartment buildings the nonprofit is constructing in Immokalee. More than 100 community and business leaders participated in a “Wall Raising” event held March 1 at the construction site off Lake Trafford Road and 19th Street in Immokalee. Attendees had opportunities to [...]
Charity for Change received a $15,000 grant from Arthrex for improving the emotional well-being and academic performance of at-risk students through its learning program. With the $15,000 grant, Charity for Change will produce new educational videos which will be used as teaching tools for students in grade levels pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The program uses [...]
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida recently celebrated the opening of its Environmental Studies Dormitory, donated by Jeannie Meg and Christopher Byron Smith with support from friends of the Conservancy. The new Environmental Studies Dormitory will allow the Conservancy to grow its internship program by 20%. Approximately 40 interns journey through the Conservancy’s various programs each [...]
Ticket and sponsorship opportunities are available for the annual Colors of the Sea Fashion Show, benefitting the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center and Southwest Florida patients in their fight against cancer. The popular event, to be held March 14, at Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, usually sells out and features an [...]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples invites the public to a celebration of Israel’s anniversary of statehood with a free community event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 26 at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. “We recognize Israel still faces many challenges, so Celebrate Israel @ 75 is a [...]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples invites the public to a free lecture by Israel’s leading activist attorney, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, founder of the Shurat HaDin Law Center, at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, 4720 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Darshan-Leitner, who focuses on legal actions for terror victims against terror [...]
The culmination of April’s Autism Acceptance Month coincides with Family Initiative’s Autism Acceptance Awards Gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. The Gala will begin with a cocktail hour where guests can mix, mingle and bid on an impressive array of auction items. Guests will enjoy dinner, live music, an exciting [...]
Avow recognized employees with Heart of Avow awards in December. The employees are nominated by coworkers for personal and professional conduct that exemplifies the compassion of hospice care. This year, more than 25 nominations were received for the annual award. “Working for an organization that cares for people during some of the most difficult times [...]
SalusCare’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee have authorized a phased rebuilding of the Crisis Stabilization Unit, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian due to storm damage. Construction is scheduled to begin once the permit is issued. “We have explored our funding options and we are rebuilding. We made this decision because there are [...]
Avow has renewed its Level 5 Partner status with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) that demonstrates a high level of commitment to veteran-centric care in the community. Avow is among just 3.8% of hospices participating in the program to achieve Level 5, the highest designation. “Avow’s [...]
The sounds of smooth jazz will again be echoing across Charlotte County at the third annual Jazz on the Harbor, a music and culinary event that benefits the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit. Jazz on the Harbor will be held March 30 at Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda. The event features passed [...]
The Southwest Florida Music Education Center (SWFLMEC) offers teacher trainings monthly in February, March and April. The sessions, led by SWFLMEC’s partner, the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education (BIAAE), teach best practices for arts educators for students who learn differently. Sessions will be held virtually from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday Feb. 16, March [...]
The Lee County Black History Society is hosting two events for Black History Month, including Movie in the Park Feb. 10 and Heart Hustle, a health and wellness event Feb. 25. On Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the society will show “Teach Us All,” a 2017 documentary that examines educational inequality after [...]
Charity for Change received a $16,572 grant from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Naples to expand programming to improve the emotional well-being and academic performance for at-risk students, with a focus in Immokalee, East Naples, Golden Gate and Everglades City. “We are grateful for the partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church to promote the education, [...]
On March 1, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance will host a “Wall Raising Event” to celebrate construction on the first of eight new apartment buildings for low-income families in Immokalee. The community is invited to attend the complimentary signature event at the new site during which guests will sign the walls to emphasize support and celebrate the [...]
Charity for Change received a $25,000 grant from the Collier Community Foundation to update its elementary school curriculum to meet new state educational standards. Charity for Change serves at-risk pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in Collier County through after-school, summer and in-school settings. “We are grateful for the Collier Community Foundation’s support of Charity for [...]
Glenna Hayhoe, one of the founders of nonprofit Avow Hospice 40 years ago, was recognized by The Women’s Foundation of Collier County as a Women of Initiative at its Women Rock Philanthropy luncheon Dec. 6. “Glenna not only started Collier County’s only nonprofit hospice 40 years ago with a dream and no funding, but she [...]
The 7th Annual MarineMax Yacht Gala raised more than $330,000 at “An Evening Under the Stars,” bringing the total raised since 2016 to more than $1.4 million for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. “MarineMax has been bringing people together in support of Golisano Children’s Hospital since 2016,” said Patti Chlipala, director of development for [...]
Healthcare Network is pleased to announce intravenous (IV) sedation has been added to its pediatric dental program available at the organization’s Nichols Community Health Center in Golden Gate. IV sedation, in addition to the organization’s existing nitrous oxide sedation option, will support pediatric patients who may need several procedures to be done during a single [...]
Lee BIA Builders Care, Christopher Alan Homes and community partners came together on Jan. 13 to write Notes of Love on the framework of a new home being built at no cost to a Fort Myers homeowner. Nancy Jackson, a third-generation Fort Myers native, has lived in her residence for more than 20 years, but [...]
The Preserve, a Fort Myers-based continuing care retirement community, has partnered with the Dr. Piper Center to collect new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages now through Dec. 23. Toys can be dropped off at The Preserve, located at 14750 Hope Center Loop in Fort Myers daily between the hours of 8 a.m. and [...]
Avow received a $5,000 grant from Truist to support grief and bereavement programming for people of all ages, specifically targeted to improving mental health. Avow’s bereavement programs are open to all residents and visitors in Southwest Florida without cost. In 2021, Avow served 930 individual virtual and in-person adult sessions, 7,408 phone check-ins to those grieving, [...]
Comerica Bank has concluded a five-month initiative to honor and celebrate nonprofit organizations in Southwest Florida that are raising expectations in the community. Through gomerica Gratitude, Comerica presented donations to 20 nonprofits aligned with the company’s three giving priorities: education, economic and community development, and human services. Nearly every week from June through October, Comerica [...]
One month after Hurricane Ian, disaster response nonprofit Cajun Navy Ground Force has served 80,000 hot meals and distributed more than $10 million in relief supplies to hurricane-battered communities in Southwest Florida. Founded in 2016, the nationally recognized organization responds to the aftermath of major disasters across the U.S. including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Florence and Michael. The Cajun [...]
BSSW Architects has hired Laura Sweeting as its marketing director to manage all communications, public relations, advertising and social media. In this role, Sweeting also leads the firm’s Request for Qualification (RFQ) process, which includes researching and analyzing opportunities, drafting proposals, developing graphics and coordinating communications. Additionally, Sweeting is responsible for developing a comprehensive strategic [...]
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County has hired Jennifer Nelson as chief development officer to build, develop and manage a comprehensive fundraising program for the nonprofit. In this role, Nelson is responsible for all fundraising efforts, including setting the vision and strategy for the team, strengthening donor relations, events, planned giving, major gifts and [...]
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, has hired Jessica Racine as program assistant to coordinate administrative, fundraising and operational tasks. In this role, Racine helps facilitate communications between donors, volunteer child advocates and the children they represent. She also assists with social media content development, event planning, database monitoring, bookkeeping, maintenance of records and [...]
First Lady Casey DeSantis presented Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, with a $400,000 grant to support its Hurricane Ian disaster relief efforts. Presented during a disaster fund news conference on Oct. 21 in Sarasota, the grant funds will support the nonprofit’s efforts to provide a variety of resources to meet the [...]
Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health care provider, recently hosted a Back-to-School Supplies Drive that collected 4,200 items of school supplies to help area students prepare for the new school year. The month-long collection was held at Elite DNA’s more than 20 offices across the state and gathered an array of [...]
The 5th Annual Clips for Cancer kicks off Sept. 1. The month-long event raises funds to ensure that programs and services are available for local children diagnosed with cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Throughout September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, pediatric cancer survivors will shave the heads of more than 25 local community leaders [...]
Fort Myers-based BelieveNBooks has launched a new initiative, PageTurner, to help preschool-aged children become better readers at an early age. PageTurner is a YouTube channel featuring videos of Southwest Florida teens reading children’s books. Students are provided corresponding books, allowing them to read alongside their digital reading partners. BelieveNBooks, which has a mission of providing [...]
The Horizon Foundation has appointed Rachel Busch, CEcD, to the position of business development director. In this role, Busch will establish and strengthen relationships with Southwest Florida businesses that are committed to the region’s economic vitality and future growth. The Horizon Foundation raises private-sector money to support economic development initiatives and invest in the long-term [...]
Rachel Fecteau has joined Family Initiative, Inc. as the community engagement specialist working alongside co-founders David Brown and Anjali Van Drie to promote compassionate care and support to children and families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through community awareness and outreach. In this role, Fecteau will oversee community education and outreach in order to [...]
Avow has purchased a new building and opened a new Treasures Resale Shop at 9765 Tamiami Trail N in North Naples. The store is in the former For the Love of Golf building in the Naples Park neighborhood. In addition to providing expanded retail space, the building has two apartments, which Avow will use to [...]
Marketing professional Amy McQuagge has joined the board of directors for the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit. As a board member, McQuagge is responsible for program oversight, fundraising, event coordination and public awareness campaigns for the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, which has a mission of ensuring that every abused, neglected or abandoned youth in [...]
A fundraising page has been launched to help employees of The Island Cow restaurant, which is closed following an after-hours kitchen fire on Aug. 6. The goal for the page is to raise up to $250,000, enough to cover two months of wages for the restaurant’s 50 employees. The Island Cow owners Brian and Elke [...]
