Wildcat Run Charitable Foundation, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Karen Dodge
Vice President
Sharon Hayward
Secretary
Sue Lyons
Treasurer
Jennifer Yattoni
Directors
Suzanne Hoffman
Lisa Enger
Pam Polcar
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 that focus on the needs of at-risk children.
As we get requests or are contacted by charities, we visit the facilities and review 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 a charitable auction. Other activities include raffles, games, appeals to residents and contributions in memory of Wildcat residents.
The Annual Golf Tournament, which included dinner and an auction, was held on April 7, 2024. It was a great success.
We exceeded last year’s $121,500 by 20%, generating over $150,000 in gross revenue!! It was a perfect day, with enthusiastic players, delicious food, and wonderful auction items. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the auction. In addition, we want to thank all the sponsors, committee members, volunteers, and Wildcat Run staff who helped to make this event happen!
This is always a special day focusing on helping children.
You helped to exceed our expectations and we thank you all.
Your donation dollars at work January 1, 2024 thru September 30, 2024:
A.N.A.’s Friends (formerly Guardian Ad Litem) https://www.anasfriends.org /received $8,000. The charity 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.
BelieveNBooks https://www.believenbooks.org/received $10,000. This organization is focused on donating books to children who do not have ready access to books, and partner with non-profit organizations to distribute books in Southwest Florida, focusing on Lee and Collier counties.
Blessings in a Backpack https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/swfl-chapter/ received $10,000. This organization provides food on the weekends for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. We support the J. Colin English Elementary School. Over 200 children at J. Colin English Elementary School qualify for food packages each weekend.
Children’s Advocacy Centerhttps://www.cac-swfl.org/what-is-a-childrens-advocacy-center/received $5,000. 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.
Eva’s Closet and Foundation https://www.evas-foundation.org/meet-our-founder received $34,000. 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.
The Immokalee Foundation https://immokaleefoundation.org/full-video/ received $10,000. 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 career pathways to success. They provide educational and career building opportunities that open the students’ lives to their personal potential.
James Stephens Elementary School in Fort Myers https://jsa.leeschools.net/ received $30,000. 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.
Laces of Love Charitable Foundation https://lacesoflove.org/ received $10,000. This foundation’s mission is to provide new shoes to low income and disadvantaged children in Lee and Collier counties, and to educate the public on the needs of these children.
Valerie’s House https://valerieshouse.org/ 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 https://wingsofshelter.com/ received $15,000. 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.