Beach Kids Foundation announces scholarship recipients
The Fort Myers Beach Kids Foundation recently awarded their annual scholarship awards with a dinner for students and family members at the Island Pancake House on Fort Myers Beach.
The foundation awarded $21,000 in scholarships including two special scholarships in honor of the late Fort Myers Beach residents Tom Myers and Roxie Smith. Myers and Smith were the co-founders of the Beach Kids Foundation along with Fran Myers. Myers and Smith have granddaughters serving on the Beach Kids Foundation board.
In attendance at the scholarship ceremony was Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Assistant Chief Christopher Armiger and six other firefighters who brought with them student Chris Prisco, who received an additional scholarship in honor of Tom Myers. Prisco will be attending Florida SouthWestern State College. Prisco is undergoing an internship at Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Station 33.
The Beach Kids Foundation also recognized Armiger with an award. Sarah Swiersz earned a special scholarship in honor of Smith.
To qualify for a scholarship, a student needs to live on Fort Myers Beach or have a parent or grandparent that lives on Fort Myers Beach.
The Beach Kids Foundation recently held a back to school “backpack event” where Fort Myers Beach students received their school supplies and a backpack of their choice.
“We love the kids and will continue to support them anyway we can and through their school years,” Beach Kids Foundation Board member Deborah Groll said.
The following students were honored with scholarships by the foundation:
Chloe Brown
Connor Amos
Mallory Amos
Aiden Fancher
Maryn Fancher
Cameron Fancher
Bobbi Leonard
Sarah Swiersz
Noah Lukow
Kailyn Haataja
Jillian Haataja
Kai West
Luciano Gilberti
Dusty Swyer
Joseph Ueker
Evan Yelle
Mary Weber
Chrisopher Prisco
Lara Grace Stam
The Beach Kids Foundation is currently making plans to hold a pickleball fundraiser, pancake breakfast, and its annual holiday drive.
For more information, contact Deborah Groll at 239-850-6322 or by email at summerinoh@aol.com.
The Beach Kids Foundation named two special scholarships this year in honor of co-founders Tom Myers and Roxie Smith. A brief biography of each and their contributions are listed below:
Roxie Smith
Roxie Smith first came to Fort Myers Beach in 1950 as a 16-year-old. Her parents
bought their first piece of property on the island that year; eventually building what
became the original Pink Shell Cottages and resort. She served for more than 27
years on the Lee County Tourist Development Council. She also served on the
Florida Commission on Tourism. She immersed herself in the Fort Myers Beach
community becoming a community activist and business leader, serving on the
Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency and Fort Myers Beach Chamber
Foundation, Friends of Matanzas Wilderness Preserve and Estero Island Historic
Society. Smith was one of the founding members of the Beach Kids Foundation.
Her legacy continues to this day as both her daughter and granddaughter are directors on the Beach Kids Foundation board. To honor her memory and to keep
her legacy alive for generations her family has started this special scholarship
fund.
Tom Myers
In the 1970s, Tom Myers made Fort Myers Beach his home and quickly became a
devoted advocate for the community–especially its natural beauty and
environmental well-being. A tireless volunteer, Myers served on the Board of the
Matanzas Pass Preserve and was instrumental in pioneering beach renourishment
efforts that have helped preserve our shoreline for future generations. Myers and
his wife Fran operated the Red Coconut RV Park for many years and supported
the Beach Kids Foundation. Tom was not only a champion of the environment, but
also a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. In honor of his recent passing
and in recognition of his enduring contributions to our island, an additional $1,000
award will be granted to a deserving applicant who embodies Tom’s spirit of
community and conservation.