FORT MYERS, FL (June 28, 2017) – Eight non-profit organizations that serve senior citizens in Lee County recently received financial grants totaling $20,000 at the 2017 CAMEO Recipient Awards ceremony held at Shell Point Retirement Community in June.
Beacon of Hope Pine Island received $800, Broadway Community Church received $1200, Community Cooperative, Inc. received $3000, Dr. Piper Center received $5000, Harry Chapin Food Bank received $1500, Hope HealthCare received $2750, Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center received $750, and Friendship Centers of Lee County received $5000.
“These groups make a real difference in the lives of the seniors they serve and we know that every dollar they received today will have a positive impact in furthering the services they provide,” said Kushal Shah, president of CAMEO.
Established in 1999, CAMEO (Cooperative Associates Marketing Elder Options) is comprised of senior care professionals, organizations, and community members who are dedicated to raising awareness among seniors about the services and resources that are available to meet their needs and improve their quality of life. Monthly meetings and special events serve as informal networking opportunities for those interested in any aspect of senior care. All fundraising efforts are used to award grants to local nonprofit organizations, serving the senior population of Lee County.“Each of the groups that received a grant at this year’s ceremony is unique, but they all have one thing in common,” said Shah, “a desire to improve the lives of the elderly living in our community.”
The CAMEO event was hosted by Shell Point Retirement Community, a non-profit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers near Sanibel Island. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and a wide variety of support services for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment.
Photo Cutline: $20,000 was awarded to eight local organizations dedicated to serving seniors in Lee County at the 2017 CAMEO Awards ceremony hosted by Shell Point Retirement Community.
Left to right: Kathy Taylor, CAMEO treasurer and Beacon of Hope Board Member; John Stricklin, community relations director for Hope Healthcare; Nancy Green-Irwin, executive director of Senior Friendship Centers; Jennifer Larsen, Meals on Wheels program leader; Kushal Shah, CAMEO president; Melissa Barry, director of Lehigh Acres Senior Center; David Hazzard, Board Member of Lehigh Acres Senior Center; Louise Bain, program outreach coordinator at Harry Chapin Food Bank; Ted Stringer, church elder for Outreach Ministry; Pastor Chuck Smith, Broadway Community Church; and Shavon Chester, advisory board member at the Dr. Piper Center.
