Nominations for Philanthropist of the Year Award sought
It’s been four years since the Cape Coral Community Foundation has handed out its Philantropist of the Year Award, which is named after its first recipient in 2007, Elmer Tabor.
The foundation just announced it is opening nominations for the 2017 Elmer Tabor Generosity Award from now through Thursday, Feb. 28. A committee of five will review all applications and choose a winner by March 16. The Tabor Award will be given to the recipient at an annual meeting on March 20. The most recent recipient was David Gomer in 2013.
“We are looking for nominations of somebody who maybe made a huge donation to the foundation, or to their favorite charity, or someone who volunteers in the community,” said award committee chair Patricia Portman. “These people just give and give and give of their time, treasure and talent. They just keep giving, and maybe not in the public eye, but behind the scenes.”
Nominees may be full or part time residents of Lee County who have demonstrated generosity through their actions.
“Philantropy is about more than writing a check for a good cause,” said Foundation President/CEO Michael Chatman. “It’s about fully giving of yourself in a way that has meaningful impact. We are blessed to have many true philanthropists in Lee County.”
Any individual, group or organization can make a nomination, even oneself. A nomination requires a 300-word essay describing why the nominee should be chosen, explaining the nominee’s demonstrated generosity. One or two letters of recommendation are requested.
“We are looking to make it an annual award, now,” said Portman. “There are a lot of people out there that we would like to recognize all over the Lee County area, because people work all over the county. Tabor also served on a lot of committees in the county.”
Nomination forms can be filled out online at www.capecoralcf.org/tabor-awards.html, or call the foundation offices at 239-542-5594.