LEE HEALTH FOUNDATION HONORS MACHIZ
Lee Health Foundation has awarded the Frank Haskell Humanitarian Award to Dr. Steve Machiz for his leadership in establishing SWFL Children’s Charities Inc., a nonprofit most known for its annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest. Machiz established the nonprofit in 2008, and one year later, SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. pledged $10 million to build a new children’s hospital in Southwest Florida. By 2012, they were ranked by Wine Spectator as the third most successful wine festival in the country. Since its inception, it has donated more than $19 million to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, making it the second-largest donor behind the hospital’s namesake, Tom Golisano. Prior to Machiz’ acceptance at the event, a new pledge of $3 million to create SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital was announced, which will make SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. the largest donor to Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The Immokalee Foundation Learning Lab Conceptual Design
COLLIER ENTERPRISES DONATES LAND TO THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION
Collier Enterprises has donated eight acres of land to The Immokalee Foundation for a housing subdivision that will serve as a hands-on learning laboratory for students in the foundation’s program, Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed. In addition to the donation of land, Collier Enterprises is handling the permitting–at a cost of $100,000–and has provided $500,000 in matching funds for the infrastructure needed to support the new neighborhood, including everything from streetlights and sidewalks to water lines and roads. BCB Homes is serving as general contractor. Ultimately, the new Immokalee neighborhood will include 18 homes built over an estimated five to seven years. Homes will include three bedrooms and two baths in 1,600 square feet, with prices expected to be $250,000. Groundbreaking for the project is expected in spring 2020.
DENT TO SERVE AS EVALUATOR FOR SWISS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Dr. Eric B. Dent, Uncommon Friends endowed chair professor of ethics at the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been invited to serve as an evaluator for the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Based on a government mandate, SNSF supports scientific research in all academic disciplines, from history to medicine and the engineering sciences, according to its website. For more information, click here.
Nicole Hood
ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS HONORS MEALS OF HOPE VOLUNTEER
Nicole Hood, a volunteer for Meals of Hope, the largest food pantry provider in Southwest Florida, was honored by the Collier-Lee Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the 2019 National Philanthropy Day celebration. Hood was recognized among a group of Distinguished Fundraising Volunteers from local nonprofit organizations. Hood has volunteered at Meals of Hope’s food pantries four times a week since 2014 and purchases food on her own to share with people living in Naples’ HUD and Section 8 housing, according to a press release. Meals of Hope provides a total of 14 food pantries–including seven mobile pantries–throughout Collier and Lee Counties to distribute fresh and nutritious food to approximately 1,000 families each week. Additional services and summer meal programs serve more than 10,000 Southwest Florida residents each month. To learn more, visit www.mealsofhope.org.
ABWA CHAPTER TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY DURING NETWORKING EVENT
The American Business Women’s Association’s (ABWA) Imperial River Chapter will gather at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center to celebrate the second anniversary of its charter and collect gently-used business clothing and accessories for Dress for Success. ABWA Imperial River Chapter welcomes all women interested in professional development. Admission is $35 and includes networking and dinner. Participation in the chapter’s gift exchange is optional. Requested gift value is $15. Tickets are available at ABWAImperialRiver.Eventbrite.com
SANTACON PUB CRAWL COMING SOON
The SantaCon Pub Crawl comes to the historic downtown River District of Fort Myers at 6 p.m. on Friday. Hosted by City Tavern with nine restaurants and bars participating, the event is a toy and food fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) (www.cac-swfl.org) and Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT). SantaCon is completely free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as Santa, elves, reindeer or anything holiday-themed. Enter the raffle drawing by visiting participating bars in the pub crawl, donating to the toy and food drive, and dressing up. CAC and ACT will be set up with booths at Patio de Leon to accept donations. For every donation, participants will receive a raffle ticket. For more information, contact David Stallard or Rebecca Hebert at (239) 226-1133.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Morgan Smith-Higbie
Everglades Wonder Gardens’ Brews for the Birds raises $15,000
Everglades Wonder Gardens raised more than $15,000 at its third annual Brews for the Birds fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will fund improvements and enhancements for the Wonder Gardens bird habitats. A sold-out crowd of more than 500 guests explored the Everglades “Beer” Gardens, while enjoying unlimited craft beer tastings from local breweries and live music from Roots Almighty and singer-songwriter Emma Arnold. Event supporters included Keg Sponsor: Stahlman-England Irrigation; Growler Sponsor: Allegro Group of Florida; 12-Pack Sponsors: Suffolk Construction and London Bay Homes; and Pint Sponsors: Bay Water Boat Rentals, Brennan Manna Diamond Law Firm, First Florida Integrity Bank, Gulfshore Insurance, Lake Michigan Credit Union of Florida, Presstige Printing, Taylor Rental of Naples and Wolcott Marine. For more information, visit www.evergladeswondergardens.com.
Amber’s Antibodies raises $8,000 during Bad Santa Trolley Hop
Amber’s Antibodies raised $8,000 during its Bad Santa Trolley Hop, held on Dec. 6. The event sold out with four trolleys filled with attendees in holiday-themed outfits, who sang Christmas carols throughout the evening. The Bad Santa Trolley Hop stops included Tavern on the Bay, Pelican Larry’s and Boekampers. Amber’s Antibodies is a 100% volunteer Naples-based nonprofit organization that financially supports Southwest Florida families experiencing cancer, in addition to donating to cancer research.
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