by Cathy Murtagh Schaffer, PA-C, Lee Physician Group Patients struggling with addiction and related health issues have a new option for treatment through an innovative program at Lee Health. Using a $50,000...
by Christian Bell, Marketing Manager Ray Charles, Art Tatum, Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli—these great performers, who are all immediately recognizable for their amazing talent, all dealt with visual impairment. Many singers,...
By Laura Perry, President, Glades Education Foundation, Inc. There were many local students joyously crossing the stage in late spring, entering the next formative phase of their lives, with proud families...
by Kaydee Tuff, Communications Manager, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children Nine-year-old Nikko could not talk about the daily abuse he saw his father inflict on his mother but he...
by Janelle Beaber, Development Director Two and a half years ago, I was introduced to an organization who was changing the lives of pain patients in our community. These patients had...
By Jamail Aikens Sometimes we need someone to throw us a lifeline! On September 2, 1944, a 311-foot submarine rose from the ocean depths to throw a lifeline to a young...
by Armando Hernandez, SWFL Program Director, Home Base On the battlefield service members are placed in unimaginable situations. Many returning veterans find solace in avoiding these traumatic memories which only exacerbates the intensity, frequency...
By Dr. Jaclyn Faffer The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases is projected to more than double over the next 30 years. Thanks to the generous support of...
By Lauren G. Schmidt, Health Education Program Consultant, Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County received a $25,000 Community Impact grant from the...
by Majda Rahmanovic, CAIR Florida CAIR-Florida, Inc. is excited to start serving the diverse Southwest Florida immigrant community from our new office in Fort Myers, thanks to the generosity of the...
Rose is pictured with her Big Sister Alex. My name is Rose and I am a graduating senior. I am a happy, healthy, well adjusted, young woman who excels in school...
by Jill Palmer, Executive Director, Florida Southern Gulf Chapter, American Red Cross Thanks in part to a recent grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, and in partnership with Lee County...
by K.C. Schulberg, Executive Director / Calusa Waterkeeper What is going on with our water, and what is the potential risk to human health? The summer of 2018 brought historic, unprecedented...
by Pamela Aubuchon, Member, Board of Directors, Cape Coral Animal Shelter Cape Coral is the second largest city in the state of Florida. Growing every year, the population is now reaching...
by Ann Christiano, MPAP, Director of the Center for Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida One of the highlights of my year every year is the three days our...
When I was a kid it was always a really big deal to stay up late enough to watch network television sign off for the night. I don’t remember exactly...
Recently I had the honor and privilege to say a few words of love and remembrance at the Celebration of Life for Kappy King, a beloved wife, mother, friend, philanthropist...
by Lisa Wright, MSN, RN, Health Occupations Coordinator, School District of Lee County A 27 year-old-mother brings proof of residency and her official GED transcript to the offices of Fort Myers...
I wait with anticipation for “this time last year” photo alerts on my phone. Sometimes I feel let down when it is a misguided shot of my shoe from 2016, but...
I could see his lip quivering as he approached the car. A little man on a mission to make it to the backseat before anyone saw him burst into tears. ...
The team at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is constantly learning. We are committed to staying connected to the community and are always on the lookout for ways to engage...
Floridians learn to be creative in marking the seasons. Since nature does not provide the obvious clues in the form of fall foliage, snow days and cherry blossom blooms, we...
Hands down the best part about my job is meeting the interesting people who do exceptional things and give to their community in unique ways. This story starts with a self-described...
The wheel starts shaking, the car slows down, rubber is flying, and it takes just a few seconds to realize that an extended stop on the side of the road...
It wasn’t easy to jump into the fray of all the fundraising pledges happening under the tent on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, but leave it to a strong,...
As a rule, I like to look at the things I have rather than the things I don’t. Focusing on gratitude can be a life-changing experience. I am fortunate in...
If you live in Southwest Florida year-round, you know the absolute best time to get outside and be active is the beginning of the year. The skies are blue. The...
During this month of “love,” I am pleased to share a love poem to the community written by residents who joined the trustees and team of the Southwest Florida Community...
For the past year I have been wearing a simple gold ring in the shape of a circle. It isn’t an infinity sign, but the continuous circle serves as a...
For nearly 30 years a woman I never met has been whispering in my ear every time I sit down to write. Sometimes she shows up in everyday conversations as...
Over the holidays a friend stopped by with a fresh baked cherry pie – so fresh it was still steaming from her oven. Standing there on our doorstep three days...
The woman sat awkwardly on the folding chair outside the dark office of a small business, continually checking the posted hours of operation and the calendar housed on her phone. Without...
Last week a teammate placed a hand-crafted sign on her desk that read, “this is my year” and I believe her. She is talented, committed and has some big goals. January...
I have long resisted the urge to use the phrase “huddle up everyone” in a team or staff meeting. As a lover of all things sports and team building, I...
As 2018 winds down and the holidays are now almost behind us, the Amazon Prime boxes with the signature blue and black tape are making their way to the curb,...
If the weather in Southwest Florida dips below 60 degrees I pull out my winter wear. Coats, sweaters, scarves, tights and boots all emerge from my closet and I am...
by Katie Leone, Impact and Sustainability Manager, Southwest Florida Community Foundation When I was little, I loved participating in our church’s charitable toy drive. My mom would let me choose the...
It has been four years since I sent a family holiday card. Around October my expectations and intentions reach a pinnacle and I believe that a festive greeting and a...
As another year begins to wind down, many of us take a little more time to reflect and express gratitude. We are amid the holiday season, which tends to bring...
I just returned from a series of meetings and a conference in New York City. I was traveling solo most of the week which provided me plenty of alone time...
I knew it wouldn’t be long before someone asked me about ghosts. When the Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently moved into our new home, Collaboratory, we were following in the...
When I was a kid there was a corny saying that worked its way into conversations whenever someone said something that rhymed. I am guessing most of you have uttered it at...
Dear Readers, I have been writing this column for seven years, but this week feels as if I am reaching out to you for the first time. I always take the summer...
by Marianne Weiss, Vice President of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast offers a unique opportunity for local companies to...
by Alex Olivares, M.S., Executive Director, The Center for Progress and Excellence Inc. The Center for Progress and Excellence Inc. (CPE) applied for a community impact grant in 2017. The proposed...
by Anne Chernin, MSW, MBA, Director of Client Services At Naples Senior Center we know that caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging and,...
by Gina Frazier, board member, I Will Mentorship Foundation “What I liked about S.T.E.M this week is it tells young ladies that there is more to the world than phones, it...
by Dr. Joanne Muller, Associate Professor, Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University This summer 10 young women (9-11th graders) experienced authentic research at The Florida Gulf Coast...
by Angela Katz, development director, LARC People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are just like you and me. They have goals and dreams, and they want to work, live and play...
by Melissa Barlow, Director of Arts and Community Programs, The Heights Center The Heights Center is a 2018 recipient of a Southwest Florida Community Foundation Arts, Community and Culture Community Impact...
