Photos Top Left: Courtesy of Steffan Hacker, Habitat for Humanity International
“I get to watch what happens when they all Lefkow has the unique opportunity to work with
two completely different groups of people and to build the bridge that unites them. On one hand, she works with struggling families in low-wage jobs who are, in her words, “serving the community, taking care of our loved ones in assisted-living facilities, maintaining golf courses, doing all the things that make Naples such a wonderful place to live.” She also works with people who enjoy the benefits of these services, “those who live on Gulfshore Boulevard or in Port Royal, who recognize that they’re incredibly blessed and are ready and willing to share what they have in order to make other folks’ lives better.”
group up and celebrate the dedication of that house together,” she says. “The hugs and tears that happen between families whose net worth is upwards of $10 million and the families who make $20,000 in a year – to know that we’re a part of that connection that enriches everybody; that’s why I do it.” In a humbling turn of events, Lefkow recently
had to deal with a struggle of her own: a cancer diagnosis. The woman who was dedicated to helping others suddenly needed help herself. “I’m always telling other people to say it if they need help, and it was hard to be in that position myself.” Luckily, the cancer was caught early and was treatable. She credits family, friends, and a prayer team for helping her through the chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “I’m grateful to my village for walking that part of the walk with me. Nobody wants to be in that place where you say— I just can’t do this on my own. I need help. But that’s a great life lesson.”
“THEY WANT SOMETHING BETTER FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THEY’RE LOOKING FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND FOR PEACE, JUST LIKE I AM.”
BTG | shining lights
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