Cape Royal Community Foundation offering grants
The Cape Royal Community Foundation invites all local charitable organizations to submit a grant application for funds.
Tom Mitchell, president of the foundation is asking charitable organizations to submit grant applications before the deadline date of Sept. 30.
The Cape Royal Community Foundation has awarded more than $370,000 in scholarships and grants since its inception in 2002. The funds are provided to local humanitarian causes with a strong volunteer base.
For information, visit crcf.info or call 283-4882.
David Lawrence Center adds psychologist to clinical team
The David Lawrence Center, Collier County’s not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse treatment facility serving children, adults and families, announced the addition of David Fuentes. He will serve as a child and adolescent psychologist in children’s outpatient services and provide services in Naples and Immokalee. The position is being funded by the Naples Children Education Foundation Beautiful Minds initiative.
Fuentes earned his bachelor of arts in psychology at Florida International University and his master of science in clinical psychology at Carlos Albizu University in Doral. He continued at Carlos Albizu University to earn his doctorate of psychology in clinical psychology with a child concentration.
Fuentes has more than 10 years of experience treating patients with mental illness and substance abuse problems. Prior to joining the David Lawrence Center team, Fuentes worked as a graduate professor/program coordinator at Jose Maria Vargas University in Pembroke Pines and at the University of Phoenix, Miramar Campus. Additionally, Fuentes worked as a behavioral health program administrator for a Federally Qualified Health Center in Liberty City. Before completing his doctorate degree, Fuentes served in various roles working with patients from a wide variety of cultural and social backgrounds as a therapist, psychometrician, intake coordinator, and prevention counselor.
Junior League hosts Leap Into Literacy event
The Junior League of Fort Myers hosted a Leap Into Literacy event at the Literacy Council Gulf Coast.
Children were divided into different age groups and spent two hours doing literacy related games and activities. Parents were also involved with their own activities and games, which gave them an opportunity to have fun and get to know one another better.
All children received a backpack with three books and school supplies. Children, ages 2 to 12, who are part of the Literacy Council Gulf Coast’s literacy programs, including its Moms Tots and tutoring programs, as well as other local children who are interested in literacy were invited to attend.
The Literacy Council Gulf Coast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the English and reading skills of adults and children throughout cities in Lee, Hendry and North Collier counties, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, LaBelle and Naples.
The Partnership for Philanthropic Planning to present “Non-Profit Board Responsibilities”
The Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Lee County will present “Non-Profit Board Responsibilities” at the Sept. 24 meeting. Guest speaker, Cliff Smith, president of the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee will discuss how to help your board understand its fiduciary duty and stay on the organization’s mission.
The meeting will be held at Blue Coyote Business Social Club, 9854 Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club Drive, Fort Myers from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch and program begin at noon. The event is free to members. The cost for non-members is $2 and includes lunch. Reservation deadline is Sept. 21.
For information, go to ppplee.org or call 850-0040.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida holds appreciation dinner
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida held a special Volunteer and Referral Source Appreciation dinner at Artichoke Company in Bonita Springs. The event was held to celebrate work and dedication of volunteers and local medical professionals.
There were many milestones recognized during the awards portion of the evening with volunteers having reached a milestone of granting 25 and 50 wishes. Others were recognized as well for reaching 5, 10 and 15 years of service.
Recognized for granting 25 wishes were Thomas Bronson, Tom Falciglia, Jane Farnsworth, Ileana Romano, Amy Sedlacek, Fran Waldman and Judith Yevick; and for 50 wishes were Coleen Bronson, Bob DesJardin, Kathie Gilmore and Sue Lottridge. Celebrating five years of volunteer service were Lorraine Aloia, Jane Farnsworth, Ingrid Fuller, Marlene Hood, Vincent Murphy, Christina Rosolia, Connie Rothenberger, Carmelo Santos, Lydia Santos, Amy Sedlacek, Nancy Wise, Fran Waldman, Eileen Young; 10 years - Bob DesJardin, Tom Falciglia, Sue Lottridge, Ileana Romano, Debbie Smith; and 15 years - Coleen Bronson, Thomas Bronson, Kathie Gilmore and Judith Yevick.
Awards presented at the dinner ceremony were: Volunteer Advocate of the Year – Ingrid Fuller; Wish Granter of the Year – Fran Waldman; Wishmaker of the Year – Matt and Linda Schloss; Volunteer Ambassador of the Year – Jane Farnsworth; Volunteer Rising Star of the Year – Kaysie Norton; Volunteer of the Year – Liz Ponte; Medical Outreach Advocate of the Year – Dr. Eric Eason; Medical Outreach Ambassador – Michele King; Referral Rising Star of the Year – Dr. Irina Greshin-Stevens; Physician Practice of the Year – Dr. Michael LaCorte and Pediatrix Medical Group; and Spirit of a Wish – Golisano Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist Team.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Southern Florida chapter grants a wish every 16 hours and has granted more than 10,000 wishes since its inception in 1983. The chapter’s vision is to make every eligible child’s wish come true.
For information, visit sfla.wish.org or call 992-9474.
Elizabeth Star named Bucket List Bash Chair
The American Cancer Society announced Elizabeth Star as the chair for their Bucket List Bash gala on March 4, 2016. She has supported the American Cancer Society for many years, serving on the Bucket List Bash committee and funding lifesaving research.
Star has served as a board member for the David Lawrence Foundation for six years and served on the board of the Naples branch of the English‐Speaking Union. She has twice chaired The Community School of Naples Angel Ball and in addition has chaired a number of other signature events for the David Lawrence Center, the English‐Speaking Union, and Youth Haven. She also supports additional local charities: The Naples Botanical Garden, The Shelter for Abused Women Children and the NCH Magnolia Ball.
For information, visit acsbucketlistbash.com
