Member News

Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida Receives Platinum Corporate Sponsorship from O’Donnell Landscapes Inc.

$50,000 in funds aid 450 local students facing food insecurity

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2023) –  Blessings in a Backpack SWFL has a generous new donor, O’Donnell Landscapes Inc., a prominent name in the local business community. O’Donnell Landscapes Inc. has proudly announced its decision to become a Platinum Corporate Sponsor for Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida. This noteworthy partnership reflects O’Donnell Landscapes Inc.’s unwavering commitment to the community’s well-being, particularly the children and families in Glades and Hendry Counties.

Through their generous sponsorship, O’Donnell Landscapes Inc. is making a substantial contribution of $50,000 to alleviating food insecurity and promoting the health and education of young students. Their support will ensure that over 450 children at Moore Haven Elementary and Central Elementary in Clewiston receive weekend meals, creating a positive impact on the lives of these children and their families.

Kristin O’Donnell of O’Donnell Landscapes shared her personal connection to the cause, stating, “I taught inner-city elementary school children, and I saw the effects firsthand of how nourishment and learning play hand in hand.” This heartfelt commitment to the cause underscores the O’Donnell family’s dedication to making a meaningful difference in their community.

Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida is a reputable nonprofit organization dedicated to providing weekend meals to food-insecure children, ensuring they have the nutrition they need to thrive. The O’Donnell’s decision to become a Platinum Corporate Sponsor demonstrates their recognition of the critical role organizations like Blessings in a Backpack play in fostering a brighter future for young students.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of O’Donnell Landscapes Inc.,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, Executive Director of Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida. “Their Platinum Corporate Sponsorship will significantly impact the lives of the children by allowing our program to emerge into new areas in the state of Florida. This partnership allows us to provide more Florida students with access to vital nutrition.”

This collaboration between O’Donnell Landscapes Inc. and Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida stands as a testament to the power of local businesses to effect positive change within the community. By joining forces to address the pressing issue of food insecurity among children, they are setting an inspiring example for others to follow. O’Donnell Landscapes Inc. is looking for an additional $25,000 match to reach a total donation of $100,000 that will help feed even more students in Clewiston and beyond. Match the O’Donnell’s donation at https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/donate and help feed even more Southwest Florida children.

Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida

Blessings in a Backpack SWFL serves over 7,800 students through 33 school-based programs located throughout Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte Counties. In these schools, test scores, reading skills, positive behavior, general health, and school attendance have improved dramatically due in part to students receiving the nourishment they need throughout the week and the weekends.

Kids are our future; you can help secure theirs. A $130 donation will feed a child for one full school year. Gifts of all sizes are welcome through the donation portal at https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/ or via mail at P.O. Box 61402 Fort Myers, FL 33906. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Fort Myers, FL (Sept. 18, 2023) – Heatherwood Construction Company has hired Sean Krizen as a project manager. He has over 18 years of construction and contracting experience throughout Southwest Florida.

Prior to joining Heatherwood Construction, Krizen was SWFL Division Manager for Southwest Electrical Contracting Services in Fort Myers where he took a leading role in planning projects with other project managers and superintendents. From 2019-2021, he was director of JS Held in Naples, working as an owner’s representative and project manager.

Krizen was owner of HK Construction Group in Venice for 10 years, managing various retail, office, government and residential projects. He also served as project manager for Halfacre Construction Company in Sarasota from 2005-2009.

“We are pleased Sean has joined our team as a project manager,” said Walter Crawford, owner and CEO of Heatherwood Construction Company. “His experience and expertise will no doubt be a major asset as we move forward with several important projects.”

Krizen loves sports and spent 18 years as a high school and youth baseball coach.

About Heatherwood Construction Company

Heatherwood Construction Company is a full-service, commercial general contractor serving the west coast of Florida from Marco Island to the Panhandle. Since 1980, the premier firm has provided complete construction services, including site search and selection, feasibility analysis, site development, value engineering, vertical construction, LEED certification, and more. Recent projects include schools, multi-family, retail, restaurants and community amenities.

Dave Beers, David Garratt, Doug Daniel, Patrick Brugger

Kathryn Kelly and Javier Salazar

Willy McClinton, Warren Berner, Eric Gutridge, Walter Mitchell III

Bill Martin, Brad Dohack, Patrick Halvarson, Tom Lytton

John Henshaw, Roger Grogman, Bill Harkey, Jim McHale

Megan Clipse, Jan-Erik Hustrulid, Dana Hume, Bob Kramer

Chris Dwyer, John Dwyer, Jim Dwyer, Tiernan Dwyer

John Muni, Pastor Russ Hurst, Scott Cray, Jay Wade

Taylor Sawatzky, Alex Hussey, Mario Gonzalez, Nick Tanner

The Heights Foundation’s eighth annual benefit golf tournament, “Swing For The Kids,” raised $41,400 to support The Heights Center’s programs that work to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers. The tournament was held at The Plantation Golf and Country Club.

“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Kathryn Kelly, Founder and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. “This tournament supports programs at The Heights Center, including School Success and our enriching Summer Camp. We are appreciative of our tournament sponsors, players, committee and volunteers.”

The first-place team was iThink Financial Credit Union. The second-place team was Russ Berner Construction. The third-place team was Thomas & Swartz Wealth Management. Craig Stevens of Thomas & Swartz hit the longest drive, and Giovanni Indellecati with Aztec Irrigation & Landscaping was closest to the pin.

The Masiello Family Foundation was the Presenting Sponsor. Lake Michigan Credit Union was the Dinner Sponsor. Ace Sponsors were Owen-Ames-Kimball and RG Architects. Baja Electric, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Green Schoenfeld and Kyle Attorneys at Law, Bill and Laurie Harkey, in honor of our veterans, Hightower Fort Myers/Thomas & Swartz Wealth Management, and Skanska were Birdie Sponsors. Axis Contracting was the Hole in One Sponsor.

The tournament chair was Jay Wade, and the committee included Jim Dwyer, Bryan Filson, and Terri Wade.

For more information about The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706 or email annie@heightsfoundation.org

About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.   Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.    The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old.   The Heights Center serves 150 children in AfterSchool and SummerCamp.    The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments.    Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian.    The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average.  As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.

Hello,

We are excited to introduce the Small Business Administration, Business Train-the-Trainer events, designed to empower community leaders with the essential knowledge and tools required to effectively champion disaster recovery and resilience programs. Our mission is to equip local leaders with invaluable information, enabling them to address the complex challenges associated with delivering disaster recovery assistance during future emergencies.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to collaborate with you. Should you wish to engage with us either in person or virtually to explore this initiative further, we are more than willing to arrange a suitable meeting time.

Sincerely

Rafael Arturo Linero Rivera

Recovery Cordination Specialist/ Attorney Advisor

Field Operations Center East

Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience

rafael.linerorivera@sba.gov

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