KindLee, a nonprofit that focuses on acts of kindness to support children who may be struggling, raised $11,400 at Sip #KindLee, an informational wine and food event June 15 at FineMark Bank.
“We are so grateful to have this opportunity to spread KindLee’s mission of kindness and support children through this event,” said KindLee President Kelly Fayer. “In addition to the funds raised at the event, community leader, advocate and gem B. Pat O’Rourke has added a matching grant of $2,000. We encourage people to go to the #KindLee Facebook Page tor website to make a donation to meet his match. We are able to increase our impact on children and the community with a little help from our friends. Thank you.”
The event included announcing Andrea Pleimling Smith of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz as a new board member.
“I know having worked with Kelly professionally that she’s passionate about everything she does,” Smith said. “I was delighted to be asked to serve on the board, and I look forward to doing what I can to help grow this nonprofit dedicated to helping children and the community. Who could say ‘no’ to spreading kindness?”
Terriana Paulk, 18 from Pace Center for Girls, received $1,000 as KindLee’s first scholarship winner. KindLee awards an annual scholarship to a student who participated in one or more KindLee kindness projects during the year.
Event chairperson Michelle Burks, a Fort Myers native, real estate professional and board member of the Edison Festival of Light, joined Kinfay Moroti, a storytelling photographer who captures images of KindLee’s service projects, to talk about kindness.
A live auction, raffle auction and cash call, as well as donation of $5,000 from Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz will help the nonprofit expand its program of creating service projects and celebrating their success to help children facing challenges such as trauma, abuse, loss and financial hardship.
