Swinging into Action

The LCBA Foundation tees it up to help local nonprofits

by keith grossman, esq.

Join the Lee County Bar Association Foundation once again for the annual charity golf tournament. The tournament is taking place at The Forest Country Club for a shotgun start on Saturday, May 14. Tournament registration is open now and can be done through the LCBA website, leebar.org. Players are encouraged to sign up quickly, as there are a limited number of spots, and the tournament is anticipated to fully book. The golf tournament proceeds benefit the Lee County Bar Foundation, and tens of thousands of dollars have been raised over the last few years. All the money is distributed by Foundation grants to groups in Lee County. The Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the LCBA. It’s a sister organization that the LCBA Executive Committee established in 2016. At the time, the Executive Committee felt the LCBA as a representative of the legal community could better serve the specific needs of Lee County by establishing a lasting, consistent grant cycle through the Foundation. The Foundation recently completed its 2021/2022 grant cycle and awarded $53,500 in grants to 26 local nonprofit agencies in February at the LCBA monthly membership meeting. In 2021, the Foundation awarded $43,000 in grants to 23 recipients from the 2020 grant cycle. (Unfortunately, the Foundation was unable to hold the golf tournament in 2020 due to Covid). The grants support agencies that aid the community in line

with the Foundation’s mission. The mission of the Lee County Bar Association Foundation is to:

• Promote provision of legal aid to the indigent, • Support and participate in charitable endeavors benefiting youth and/or benefiting the underprivileged population, • Encourage and promote education and community awareness of the law, • Provide for the establishment of scholarships. The Foundation’s Board of Directors include:

• Shannon Puopolo, President • Kristalyn Loson, Past President • David Seitz, Treasurer • John Webb, Secretary • Vanessa Fernandez

• Eviana Martin

• Sara Spector • Chene Thompson • Honorable Kathy Smith • Katherine Camadeco

Shannon Puopolo hopes to increase the grants the Foundation can provide. She says, “We can never meet the need as much as we wish we could.”

Puopolo also points out that since COVID, the requests have increased. She says many agencies have lost funding, and “we’re trying to fill that gap.” The process for the grant cycle begins in early summer when the Foundation begins receiving grant applications. It goes through late fall. Puopolo says the entire Foundation Board meets to review every application. She says, “We make sure the funding request meets our mission statement.” If the Board determines the application meets at least one of the pillars of the Foundation’s mission, they then determine how much money the Foundation has to give the applicant. After the money is awarded, the agencies must report back to the Foundation and provide an update how the funds were used. Puopolo stresses the importance of following up to make sure the funds were used in line with the application. In 2021, the Foundation was unable to award all the recipients together at one meeting, so the Board members went to the location of the various agencies. Puopolo says, “We gave the money onsite and celebrated with the big cardboard check.” Puopolo felt those presentations helped connect the Foundation with the various agencies. “It’s a nice learning experience. We get a better sense of the charity and where our money is going.” In addition to providing grants, the Foundation also provides scholarship money to the high school student who wins the closing argument award in the Lee County mock trial tournament. This year, the Foundation also sponsored the dunk tank at the LCBA Shrimp Boil and Bar-B-Q, which helped raise $1,500 for the Miguel C. Fernandez III Hispanic Bar Association. The funds raised through sponsorships and donations help provide school uniforms for underprivileged students.

The traditional fundraising events for the Foundation have been the golf tournament and a wine tasting. A big part of the fundraising effort at the golf tournament is the charity auction that takes place during the post-golf luncheon. Nongolfers are invited to attend the luncheon. Puopolo says, “If you just want to network and hang out with us, you’re more than welcome.”

The 2021 golf tournament was record-breaking, in terms of amount raised and the number of golfers that participated, according to Puopolo. Puopolo is looking forward to improving upon that. She says they want this year’s tournament to be the “biggest and best it’s ever been.” Puopolo is also looking forward to the 2022 wine tasting event. She says, “We’re excited about having a large in-person event this year.” The Foundation is also planning some other fundraising events this year. The details for those events have not yet been finalized. Puopolo says, “Members should always feel comfortable donating to the Foundation.” If you are interested in joining the Foundation Board, Puopolo says there are open spots. Puopolo says, “We’re appreciative of all the support (the Foundation receives). We’d love for members to learn more about what we’re doing.”

2021 LCBA FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENTS

The LCBAF provided a total of $63,000 to these grant recipients for the 2021/22 grant cycle. Foundation Chair Shannon Puopolo hopes to increase that amount this year

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Blessings in a Backpack SWFL Children's Advocacy Center Children's Home Society of Florida Community Cooperative Family Initiative Autism Support Florida Arts, Inc. dba Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Foster Care Advisory Services, Inc. Guardian ad Litem - 20th Judicial Circuit Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida KindLee, Inc. Lee County Legal Aid Society, Inc. Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, Inc. Literacy Council Gulf Coast Midwest Food Bank - Florida Division Miles of Smiles Foundation NAMI Lee, Charlotte and Hendry Counties New Horizons of Southwest Florida Quality Life Center SWFL Senior Friendship Centers South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition Sunrise Community of Southwest Florida, Inc. The Heights Center, Inc. United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Valerie's House Wellfit Girls