Community Foundation awards more than $100K at annual banquet
The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation awarded $107,820 to local organizations, boards, students, endowments and nonprofits at their annual banquet.
The awards eclipsed last year’s distribution of $93,000 to 11 organizations and 11 scholarship applicants as well as monies to the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation’s Passthrough Program and the Endowment fund through Florida SouthWestern State College.
This year, the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation awarded $107,820 to 14 organizations, 14 scholarship applicants and funds to the Passthrough Program and Endowment fund, outgoing Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation President Julie Fite said. “It was a great evening at the Island Pancake House with over 50 people in attendance for dinner and awards,” Fite said.
Donations were given to the Fort Myers Beach Public Library, Estero Island Historic Society, Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force, Keep Lee County Beautiful, Friends of Lovers Key, Bay Oaks Recreation, Ostego Bay Summer Camps, FMB Strong, Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve, Support for Sailing, The Mound House, Beach Kids Foundation, Estero Bay Buddies, Fort Myers Beach Art Association, Florida SouthWestern State College Passthrough and Florida SouthWestern State College Endowment.
The evening was topped off by the announcement of the foundation’s Star Award which went to outgoing Vice President Kelly Smith.
“I’m honored and humbled by the award,” Smith said. “I’ve put my heart and energy into the Community Foundation for several years, and greatly appreciate the recognition. The members of the FMB Community Foundation have become like family to me.”
Smith thanked all who have helped the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation in volunteering. Smith said she hopes the organization “can continue to do what we do for the Fort Myers Beach community for many years to come.”
Jennifer Rusk accepted the foundation’s $4,000 award to the Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force to support the reprinting of the town’s children activity and educational books “Flippers and Feathers, Beach Friends Forever.”
Rusk, who spearheaded the publication the educational books that teach children and visitors about the local environment, said “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation for their contribution.”
Rusk said she was “so touched and honored to accept this generous contribution” on behalf of the Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force. Rusk said she wanted to extender her “gratitude to (the Community Foundation) for all their efforts and the amazing work they do for our whole community. They make dreams come true.”
The foundation also honored its outgoing board members including Smith, Fite, Suzy Krajewski and Robin Nuccio.
The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation announced its two new co-presidents will be Amy Gillette and Jane McCloskey. They will be joined on the new board of directors
Joy Sullivan, Jan Falkum, Kathy Nash, Ellen Vaughn, Treasurer Annie Lump and Secretary Patti Coleman.
The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation’s mission is to empower foundation members and the community by encouraging philanthropy to improve the overall quality of life on Fort Myers Beach. “We respond to the changing and emerging needs of our community by providing support for education, health and welfare, and the preservation of our natural environment,” Fite said.