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Wildcat Run Charitable Foundation, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Karen Dodge

Vice President
Sharon Hayward

Secretary
Sue Lyons

Treasurer
Jennifer Yattoni

Directors
Suzanne Hoffman
Mary Karas
Pam Polcar
Polly Sample

Please reach out to anyone of us with questions or information regarding committees or how you can help the Foundation.  
There are several committees where volunteers can provide service hours to some of our charities.
As always, thank you all for your support!!


Foundation History
The Wildcat Run Charitable Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to provide people in the community an opportunity and financial vehicle to encourage, support
or improve the lives of children in Southwest Florida.

The Foundation idea was begun in 2011 and by 2013 was established as a 501.C3 non-profit.  The original leaders were Gina Turkel and the late Mary Ann Casey who was the first president. 
Since then, through the generosity of Wildcat Run residents, your foundation has contributed over a million dollars to charities which focus on the needs of at-risk children. 

As we get requests or are contacted by charities, we spend time visiting the facilities and reviewing the finances and activities to ensure that our funds go to deserving and efficient charities.

The Foundation Board establishes various fundraising activities each calendar year.  The main fundraising event is an annual golf tournament with acharitable auction. 
Other activities include raffles, games, appeals to residents and contributions in memory of Wildcat residents.

The Annual Golf Tournament was held on April 1, 2023, just ahead of the course closure in anticipation of the golf course renovation. 

Over the years, the Golfing for Kids events have been very successful and we have raised over $80,000 each year.We couldn’t have done it without the support and efforts of all involved! 

Your donation dollars at work in 2023:
Valerie’s House received $15,000. 
This charity works with children who have lost family members and who need counseling and support. 

Valerie's House uses art and music to help children express and heal their pain.

Wings of Shelter received $30,000. 
This group operates safe houses in Southwest Florida for minor females who have been rescued out of Human Trafficking. 
They proved trauma focused mental health counseling, medical care, private schooling, tutoring and re-socialization activities.

Children’s Advocacy Center received $8,500. 
This organization provides a coordinated response to child victims of abuse and neglect
and works to improve the lives of at risk children and their families through prevention services.

Blessings in a Backpack received $35,000. 
This organization provides food on the weekends for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. 
We support the J. Colin English elementary school  There are over 200 children at J. Colin English elementary school who qualify for food packages each weekend.

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Eva’s Closet received $45,000.

 This charity provides assistance to people in need due to homelessness, poverty and other risk factors in Southwest Florida.  
They provide necessities such as clothing, shoes hygiene items, baby supplies and school supplies. 
We have a team of members who help to sort and package donated clothing items for children.

James Stephens Elementary School in Fort Myers received $13,000. 
This school serves children in a community which has a low income rate with difficult family situations. 
We were able to provide winter jackets for the students in addition to other funding.

IMM

The Immokalee Foundation received $7,500
The Foundation is engaged in empowering children and young adults to change the course of their lives. 
The children they serve come from situations where English may not be their first language and just getting through high school is considered a high achievement. 
The Foundation provides students the resources and the confidence to follow pathways to success. 
They provide educational and career building opportunities that open the students’ lives to their personal potential.

Guardian Ad Litem received $5,700.
The Guardian ad Litem office represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in court and the community.
The program is to ensure that every child in the dependency courts system is represented by a Guardian ad Litem volunteer or pro bono attorney.
They provide information to the judge about the child and advocate for what is in the child’s best interests. 

KKids, Inc (Keeping Kids in Distress Safe) received $8,000.
KKids takes in children who need a safe place to be, thereof keeping them out of the foster system. 
They do not receive any government funding and rely on contributions from the community to provide food, clothing, education and housing for the children in their care.

Liberty Youth Ranch received $10,000.
This group is a private, self governing organization dedicated to the needs of abused, abandoned and orphaned children. 
The Ranch seeks to provide a permanent and loving environment for children who, through no fault of their own, are in need of a home, a family and the opportunity simply to be children

Lee County Sheriff’s Youth Activities League received $5,000
This organization provides free and reduced cost access to after school youth activities, mentoring and recreational programs. 
 They also partner with the United Way’s School Resource Center for back-to-school needs.

National Fire Safety Council (Estero Fire/Rescue)received $750. 
The Council creates and develops high quality fire safety education materials and programs to assist U.S Fire Departments in their community education effort,
geared toward children and seniors through their Fire pup Program.

Thanks again to all of our generous donors!