Communities in Action
Within the many communities and golf and country clubs that dot the Southwest Florida Coast there are professionals to assist their members and residents. They may have different titles and may adjust their responsibilities to fit the community or club where they are located; nonetheless, these gatekeepers are wonderful at sharing a wealth of knowledge with their residents, fully enriching their lives and the lives of others. They are commonly known as Activities Directors. There is an organization of experienced professionals in the field of recreation and leisure management that is called ADNG or the
Activities Director Networking Group. It is comprised of these professionals who may have the title of Activities Director, Director of Lifestyle Enrichment, Director of Concierge Services, Director of Membership Sales, Marketing and Communications— to name a few. Whatever their title, each of these professionals has a common goal, which is to enrich the quality of life of their residents.
Here are some of the activities that were shared with us:
Melissa Speach, Director of Lifestyle and Concierge Services, The Players Club and Spa at Lely Resort
I held a Fashion Show in honor of our members who are cancer survivors. At first, I was going to choose only breast cancer survivors, but in speaking with many of our members, I found out just how many were survivors of various types of cancer – so I decided to celebrate them all! We held a raffle, giving away several spectacular prizes and raised over $1,000 for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, our Club’s adopted charity, specifically supported by our Ladies Social Group. At the end of the Fashion Show I read the following as our models passed out a HOPE stone to everyone in attendance…
“As survivors you all represent HOPE for those newly diagnosed with cancer. There is an old saying that a stone cast upon the water makes an immediate splash and waves ripple outward in ever- widening circles. The HOPE stones that we are giving you today are yours to
keep, but only until someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer. We hope that the stone stays with you forever; but, if necessary, please pass it on to them as a personal symbol of HOPE as they face their journey through treatment. Together we will embrace them with our ever-widening
circle of HOPE. We will let them know they are not alone, we care about them, and there is HOPE!”
Sara Seidler James, Director of Membership Sales, Marketing and Communications, Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club
The inaugural “Wildcat Cares 4 Kids” charity event raised more than $42,000 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. More than 350 members of Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club and their guests participated in the event, which featured a weekend filled with activities including: a gala with live and silent auctions, tennis clinic, golf tournament and banquet, and more. “Our club members are renowned for their philanthropy and support of important community organizations like the Children’s Advocacy Center,” said General Manager Bill Delayo. “‘The Wildcat Cares 4 Kids’ event was a great way to wrap their giving spirit into a weekend of fun and camaraderie.” Jill Turner, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center said, “Funding from this event will play a crucial role in the continuation of CAC’s services, which include: medical exams, forensic interviews, crisis intervention, and therapeutic counseling.”
Julie Inman, Activities Director, VeronaWalk Collier’s Reserve, Reserve Habitat for Humanity Committee
Entering their 9th year of support for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Collier’s Reserve Country Club members have donated just under $1,000,000. Each year at a special reception, the community welcomes a Habitat family to come share their story with the members of Collier’s Reserve.
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VeronaWalk believes in giving back and we support multiple charities and non-profits in our community. This past February our community did a Broadway Show that featured 65 of our residents singing, dancing, and acting. The proceeds from this show (over $15,000) went to Avow Hospice of Naples. Other charities that we have supported are: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Shelter for Abused Women, East Naples Fire Department Shoe Drive, Habitat for Humanity, Grace Place, Eden School for Autism, Santa for the Soldiers, St. Matthew’s House, Hope for Haiti, United Cerebral Palsy, and many more.
We thank those that shared their inspiring stories in this first issue and look forward to many such stories to come!
communities in action | BTG
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