Wildcat Run Charitable Foundation, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Karen Dodge
kmddodge1@gmail.com
Vice President
Peggy Dodge
Dodgep440@gmail.com
Secretary
Sue Lyons
Lyonss2@me.com,
Treasurer
Jennifer Yattoni
jenniferyattoni@gmail.com
Directors
Suzanne Hoffman
Shoffman332@gmail.com
Mary Karas
karasx5@aol.com
Pam Polcar
pampolcar@gmail.com
Polly Sample
pollysample@aol.com
The Wildcat Run
Charitable Foundation would like to welcome our newest members, Jennifer
Yattoni who has agreed to accept the role of Treasurer and Polly Sample, our
most recent Director. We would like to thank our outgoing member, Linda
Scalley for her many years of hard work as Treasurer for the Foundation.
Please reach out to any one of us with questions for 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 providing 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 nonprofit. 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 dinner and a charitable 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!
Some of Your donation dollars at work in 2022 and 2023:
Valerie’s House received $15,150. 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 $35,000. This group operates safe houses in Southwest Florida for minor children who have been rescued out of Human Trafficking. They provide trauma focused mental health counseling, medical care, private schooling, tutoring and re-socialization activities.
Blessings in a Backpack received $25,000. This organization provides food on the weekends for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry.
Eva’s Closet received $57,683. 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 sdort and package donated clothing items for children.
Children’s Advocacy Center received $2,500. This organization provides a coordinated responds to child victims of abuse and neglect and works to improve the lives of at risk children and their families through prevention services.
James Stephens Elementary School in Fort Myers received $15,000. 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.
Juvenile Diabetes Association received $2,000. This nationwide organization focuses on the care of children with juvenile diabetes.
Liberty Youth Ranch received $15,000. This local 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.
Gabriel House received $6,000. The Gabriel House is a loving compassionate, Christian home located in Fort Myers for abandoned, displaced, underprivileged children who are in need of medical treatment. The primary mission is to rescue, clothe, feed, educate and house children in need and to provide medical care.
The Immokalee Foundation received $20,000. The Foundation works to empower children and young adults to change the course of their lives through education and support. Students come from situations where English may not be their first language and where a college degree or a career are mere dreams.
Juvenile Diabetes received $2,000. JDRF works to find better treatments, preventions and ultimately a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through critical research..
The National Fires Safety Council received $300. The Council creates and develops high quality fire safety education materials and programs to assist U.S, Fire Departments in their community education efforts.
Thanks again to all of our generous donors!