Backup Documents 01/24/2017 Item # 4A 4 A
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, On behalf of the residents of Collier County, the Board of Collier County
Commissioners would like to honor Mr. Del Ackerman for his years of service to our
community; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ackerman, a Toledo, Ohio native, has been the proprietor of Del's 24 Hour
Store for more than 50 years, along with an empire of establishments that have
included additional convenience stores, paint stores, laundromats and the pawnshop
across from the Naples Municipal Airport entrance; and,
WHEREAS, His venture to Naples did not start out auspiciously, as shortly moving to Naples in
1964, Del, his wife Nancy and baby daughter Tanya had to move back to Toledo,
to get medical care for Tanya, who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the
brain)and spina bifida; and,
WHEREAS, Although Toledo called them back, Del, a former Bluffton University football
player, never forgot the lure of Collier County; and
WHEREAS, As soon as they could, the family moved back to Naples and opened Del's 24 Hour
Store, a fresh start in their new hometown; and
WHEREAS, The Ackerman family has kept the store open ever since, rarely closing for more
than a few hours and even staying open during hurricanes; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Ackerman worked tirelessly to support his neighborhood always to the
betterment of the people and places he knew, by donating his name and proceeds
from his business ventures to charity; and,
WHEREAS, These donations include a $3,000 reward to find missing Immokalee boy Adji Desir,
donating bait to the local schools, Youth Haven, the Collier County Sheriff's Office
and Boy Scout troops for their youth programs; or asking guests at his second
wedding to wife Theresa Parent to donate to the Mayflower Congregational United
Church of Christ instead of giving them gifts; and other countless donations to many
charities; and,
WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners recognized Mr. Ackerman in December to
rename the intersection of Thomasson and Bayshore drives as 'Del's Corner' to
recognize his many years in business; and
WHEREAS, It is with great honor that we remember Mr. Ackerman for his true commitment to
Collier County.
NOW THEREFORE, let it be proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida, that January 24, 2017 be designated as
DEL ACKERMAN DAY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 24th Day of January 2017.
(t v\` A I >,fi;,� ., BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(t , 'v(1)) COLLIER NTY IA
1 PENNY TAYLCOUCHFLORMAND