Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida hosted its annual Breakthrough Award ceremony at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center on May 30. The event recognizes individuals and businesses who have advanced the Goodwill Mission throughout the prior year. The fundraiser raised $71,590 to support Goodwill’s programs and services. Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation were named the 2024 Philanthropist of the Year. This award highlights their impactful contributions over the past year, including a $45,000 grant awarded earlier this year to formalize the Disability Navigation Program. The Foundation also announced a surprise $5 million gift to expand services through the Pathways to Opportunity program and enhance Disability Navigation services across Southwest Florida.

Additional honorees recognized for outstanding achievements included:

· Michael Wentland received the Chet Perry Breakthrough Achiever Award for overcoming significant barriers to employment and thriving as a dedicated Goodwill employee.

· Lauren Ramnath Daharry was named the William J. Barrett Breakthrough Graduate, celebrating her success as a local mental health counselor and yoga instructor. Lauren began her journey through Goodwill’s SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute.

· Allegiant Air was recognized as Employer of the Year for creating meaningful employment opportunities in Charlotte County.

· Regions Bank earned the title of Business of the Year for its long-standing partnership with Goodwill and its commitment to promoting financial literacy throughout Southwest Florida.

· Charissa Comerota was honored as Goodwill SWFL Employee of the Year in recognition of her 31 years of service as the organization’s Computer Graphics & Web Manager.

Goodwill extends its heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors and donors whose support made the event a resounding success, including One Digital, Zaks Jewelry, Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby, Florida Blue, J Fisher Law, SuEllen’s Floral Company, Joshua Tree, Lillian Dear Photography, Rig Entertainment, Encore, and The Luminary.