Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, has been recognized by the Florida Department of Children and Families with a 2023 Moments of Impact Award. The award was presented to Better Together at the 2023 Florida Children and Families Summit in Orlando on Sept. 7. Better Together earned the award for its contributions [...]
Family Initiative has received $5 million in state funding for Thrive Academy, a private educational setting for young people on the autism spectrum. Additionally, the funding will allow Family Initiative to build a special needs shelter to adequately Support children and their families in the event of a natural disaster. “We are thankful to Florida [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in crisis and preventing the need for foster care, is hosting a Parents’ Night Out event on Friday, March 31 in Ocala. 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. [...]
Tickets are available for The Community Foundation’s 2023 Charity Event Awards, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers. Recognizing innovation and excellence in event fundraising, The Community Foundation’s Charity Event Awards will celebrate [...]
Lee BIA Builders Care, the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA), has received a donation of $8,463 from the GulfShore Mustang Club of Southwest Florida. Funds will support the nonprofit’s efforts to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who [...]
Lee BIA Builders Care’s popular BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraising event is returning on April 15 to a new venue, Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers. The 12th annual event features Southwest Florida’s top pit masters competing for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” as well as live music from local headlining bands, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Family Initiative, a nonprofit Cape Coral based charitable organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and their families, is excited to announce the newest member of their board of directors, Margie Mitchell. Mitchell will work alongside 10 board members as well as David Brown and Anjali Van Drie, the co-founders of the organization, to promote [...]
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 [...]
Partners in Care will host the 8th annual Pink & Blue Golf Scramble on Friday, October 7, at Canyon Lakes Golf Course located at 3700 W Canyon Lakes Dr in Kennewick, WA. Proceeds from the event will remain in the Washington Tri-Cities area to support Partners in Care, a non-profit foundation dedicated to serving cancer [...]
Family Initiative, a Florida-based nonprofit organization, has partnered with Family Support Services in Pinellas and Pasco counties to provide support to out-of-home caregivers to benefit children in the child welfare system. Family Initiative’s Family Impact Program supports caregivers in raising children from difficult backgrounds and includes caregiver education and in-home support. The education forums aid [...]
Guadalupe Resale Shop recognized a milestone sale after a shopper’s purchase of an oil painting on June 9 pushed the boutique above $1 million in gross sales revenue for its fiscal year. This is the first time the Resale Shop, located on U.S. 41 in North Naples, has reached that threshold during a fiscal year, [...]
Guadalupe Center has hired Jim Ragusa, a longtime teacher and principal in Collier County, as senior director of early childhood education. In this role, Ragusa works with a team of center directors, curriculum specialists and teachers to coordinate Guadalupe Center’s nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, which has 525 students spread across four campuses in [...]
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in crisis and preventing the need for foster care, is hosting a Better Luncheon for parents in Manatee and Sarasota counties on Saturday, May 14 at Resonate Life Church in Bradenton. Better Together organizes a luncheon program at various locations each month to bring parents together for [...]
Lee BIA Builders Care, the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA), has received a donation of $6,429 from the GulfShore Mustang Club of Southwest Florida. Funds will support the nonprofit’s efforts to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who [...]
Community Cooperative’s pantries are now filled with over two tons of peanut butter and jelly supplies after the nonprofit’s 2022 Peanut Butter & Jelly Food Drive. To help keep shelves stocked all summer long, Community Cooperative launched its annual PB&J Food Drive in March to rally the support of families, businesses and the community in [...]
Community Cooperative raised over $24,000 on April 9 at the return of Empty Bowls, an event that had not been held in Lee County since 2017. Empty Bowls included a soup competition and community entertainment to benefit Community Cooperative’s emergency food programs, which include Sam’s Community Café & Kitchen, the Community Market, Meals on Wheels [...]
GuideStar has awarded Guadalupe Center a Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest rating level reserved for nonprofits that fully disclose their strategies, metrics and achievements. GuideStar, the world’s largest source of information about nonprofit organizations, offers four rating levels for nonprofits: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The Platinum Seal of Transparency indicates that an organization [...]
Better Together and Family Church are partnering to host a community job fair for Chicago Heights-area residents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23. 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 hires. [...]
Community Cooperative announces the return of the Empty Bowls fundraiser, presented by FineMark National Bank & Trust, to take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. Sanibel Pottery will be collaborating with this year’s event to raise hunger awareness through art. One-of-a kind handcrafted [...]
Guadalupe Center’s annual fundraising gala on Jan. 20 will offer in-person and virtual attendance options as the nonprofit continues raising awareness and support for its life-changing education programs. “Guadalupe Galaxy: Constellations of Hope” will be held Thursday, Jan. 20 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburon Drive in Naples. The fundraising gala will feature cocktails, [...]
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, will host its newest fundraising event, “What’s your Superpower 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run,” on Feb. 19 in Fort Myers. The event will be held on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College and feature a traditional 5K race for runners of all ages, as well [...]
Guadalupe Center has received a generous $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County to enhance educational programs that focus on out-of-school time, including after-school, summer and college-preparatory programs. Guadalupe Center’s After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program provides early intervention for elementary students who score below grade-level on standardized tests. Each year, nearly 800 [...]
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in crisis and preventing the need for foster care, is launching a Parents’ Night Out program with upcoming dates including Nov. 19 and Dec. 11. Monthly events will offer parents access to a couple hours of no-cost care for children ages infant through 17 years old. Better [...]
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, raised $17,125 at Fashion to a Tea, a luncheon and fashion show featuring community leaders as models. Fashion to a Tea, held Oct. 27 at Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, included an elegant high tea luncheon, silent auction, fun surprises and a spirited fashion show. Models showcased chic, [...]
Comerica Bank donated $15,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County for its “Grand Slam for Great Futures” campaign, which provides scholarships for children and teens whose families could not otherwise afford the full cost of programs. While presenting the donation on Sept. 29, Comerica executives announced an expanded partnership that includes financial [...]
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in crisis and preventing the need for foster care, has expanded its programs to the Jacksonville area, set to serve the three-county region of Nassau, Duval and Clay counties by late 2021. Better Together is made up of two programs – Better Families and Better Jobs – [...]
Pace Center for Girls, Lee’s popular fundraising event, Love That Dress!, has raised $65,000 to support Pace Lee programs. “We’re thankful for all who came out to this year’s Love That Dress!, joining our efforts to empower Pace girls in finding their voice and achieving their full potential,” said Jennifer Cellitti, executive director of Pace [...]
Leadership NEXT, a monthly program for advancing business professionals, will host a networking program from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at Collaboratory in Fort Myers. The Leadership NEXT program will feature an update from Collaboratory, the nonprofit formerly known as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. Collaboratory President and CEO Sarah Owen will [...]
Guadalupe Center is requesting donations of school supplies through its 29th annual Back-to-School Shoes & Supplies Drive, which outfits hundreds of students with new sneakers and school supplies. Requested items include writing utensils, paper products, art supplies, classroom supplies and student accessories. The National Retail Federation estimates the average household will spend $849 on back-to-school [...]
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, has added Lara Zdanowicz as a program assistant to help facilitate relationships between donors, volunteer child advocates and the children they represent. The Guardian ad Litem Foundation assists with recruitment, training and support of volunteer child advocates who serve as the voice for children in Collier, Lee, [...]
Guadalupe Center has earned its fourth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most-utilized independent nonprofit evaluator. Charity Navigator evaluates nonprofit organizations on their financial strength, accountability and transparency. Guadalupe Center’s 4-star rating means it adheres to strict accounting procedures while disclosing pertinent financial and operational information to the federal government. Charity [...]
Guadalupe Resale Shop is requesting donations of like-new furniture, clothing and home décor before seasonal residents head north for the summer. “The end of season is a great time for winter residents to let go of gently used items they may no longer need,” said Kat McNabb, store manager. “Since the Resale Shop supports a [...]
The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County is expanding its virtual programs to include additional volunteer opportunities for guest speakers, businesses and organizations in Southwest Florida. New virtual volunteer opportunities include: Career exploration: Guest speakers can discuss the pros and cons of their chosen career. Past volunteers represented health care, finance, education, legal, retail, [...]
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee will offer valuable insight on volunteer opportunities with area nonprofit organizations during its networking event on Wednesday, April 7. Welcoming 11 nonprofits from across Southwest Florida, this month’s Women in Business program will showcase opportunities to volunteer within each organization. Participating nonprofits include Alliance [...]
Better Together, a voluntary, community-driven alternative to foster care, has launched a redesigned website designed to offer an improved user experience while raising awareness of the organization’s mission and its two programs – Better Families and Better Jobs. The Better Together website serves as a referral source for families seeking a preventative to foster care. [...]
Community Cooperative has named board member Wayne Kirkwood, former owner and president of Kirkwood Electric, to the nonprofit’s Lifetime Advisory Board. The board is made up of longtime supporters who continue to serve in an advisory role to the innovative nonprofit made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end hunger and homelessness in Southwest [...]
Guadalupe Resale Shop is in need of volunteers to help process donations, price items, stock shelves, create displays, assist customers and ring up purchases at its North Naples showroom. The nonprofit organization typically has more than 100 dedicated volunteers who lend their services during the year. However, some winter residents are staying up North this [...]
Giving Tuesday is an annual international movement that encourages support for community-based organizations and charitable causes. Since its founding in 1992, Priority Marketing has donated pro bono and discounted professional services to more than 200 charitable organizations. The total value of those services is estimated at more than $2.6 million. Additionally, individual team members have donated their time, talents and resources to countless [...]
Leadership NEXT, a monthly program for advancing business professionals, will present a virtual program from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, highlighting the nonprofit industry and volunteerism. Attendees of Leadership NEXT will hear from Stefanie Edwards, chief development and operating officer of Community Cooperative, a nonprofit with a mission to eliminate hunger and [...]
Wellfit Girls, a Southwest Florida nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen girls, is pleased to announce Brooke Spencer as the new executive director for the organization. Colby Robertson, the organization’s director for the last seven years, is stepping into a new co-founder role and will continue to support the organization as treasurer of the board. Based [...]
Child Care of Southwest Florida will reopen a fifth early learning center as The Children’s Garden of Labelle welcomes back students on June 29. The nonprofit organization has reopened its centers in phases after implementing numerous safety procedures to protect the health and well-being of students and staff. The Children’s Garden of [...]
A limited number of tickets remain for the Voices of Hope Gala, an inaugural fundraising event on March 28 that will support Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit. The Voices of Hope Gala is the Foundation’s first major fundraiser and will feature dinner, entertainment and a live auction. Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates also [...]
Guadalupe Center has announced a capital and operational campaign to provide more students in Immokalee with opportunities to use education as a springboard to a brighter future. “Guadalupe Center: 2020 & Beyond” is raising money to construct new educational centers, hire additional staff and expand academic programs. The announcement was made during a ribbon-cutting ceremony [...]
