Agenda 04/10/2018 Item #16E 304/10/2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to select Arthur Bookbinder and David Weigel as co-recipients of the 2018
“Against All Odds” award, and to present the award at a future Board of County Commissioners
meeting.
OBJECTIVE: To select Arthur Bookbinder and David Weigel as co-recipients of the 2018 “Against All
Odds” award, and to present the award to both gentlemen at a future Board of County Commissioners
meeting.
CONSIDERATIONS: At its July 12, 2016 meeting, the Board of County Commissions unanimously
approved establishing an annual “Against All Odds” award program to recognize individuals who have
overcome great challenges that most of us have not faced and who, despite their circumstances, have
excelled and given back to the community. Previous recipients of the award are Mackensie Alexander, an
NFL football player from Immokalee, and Carlos Ruiz, a former Army paratrooper.
In Fall 2017, the Communication and Customer Relations Division announced a call for nominations
from the public. The announcement was made in English, Spanish, and Creole and sent to all media
outlets, public and private high schools, and posted on the County’s website and on social media.
Nominations had to be accompanied by a narrative describing the nominee’s journey; specifically, how he
or she overcame considerable obstacles to achieve success and excel. The narrative also had to include
examples of how the nominee had given back to the community.
Four Collier County residents were nominated. Staff in the Communications office thoroughly reviewed
each nomination. While each nominee appeared to embody the spirit of the “Against All Odds” award
program, Arthur Bookbinder and David Weigel demonstrated a high level of fortitude, determination and
perseverance and both gentlemen have given back and enriched our community largely due to their work
with Lighthouse of Collier, Inc. Those nominees not selected for the award in 2018 will
automatically be entered for consideration for the 2019 award.
Nominee Summary of key areas where the nominee has overcome great challenges,
has excelled, and has given back to our community. (See nomination
narrative for complete information)
Arthur Bookbinder Mr. Bookbinder lost his vision in 1990 to Retinitis Pigmentosa. In 1991, he was
diagnosed with the first of three major cancers. Those obstacles did not stop Mr.
Bookbinder. In 2005, he created the Bookbinder Group, a consortium of Premier
Low Vision Consultants throughout North America. Mr. Bookbinder helped grow
the non-profit organization, Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., the only Collier County
non-profit dedicated to low vision and blind individuals. He currently serves as
chairman of the Lighthouse board of directors. Mr. Bookbinder also serves as a
mentor to students in the Champions for Learning Take Stock in Children program.
In 2016, Mr. Bookbinder was recognized by the Southwest Florida Community
Foundation as one of the Faces of Philanthropy and he and his wife, Susan, were
recognized as Champions at the Champions for Learning 2016 Night of Champions.
David C. Weigel Former Collier County Attorney David Weigel started experiencing significant
vision impairment 2003. In 2007 Mr. Weigel, along with other members of the
community, initiated the creation of the Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., the only Collier
County non-profit organization dedicated to low vision and blind individuals. Mr.
Weigel led efforts to establish by-laws, incorporation, organizational structure and
location for the Lighthouse and became its first president. Mr. Weigel participates
in the Lighthouse’s Summer Camp where he teaches Morse Code. He currently
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04/10/2018
serves as secretary of the Lighthouse board of directors and regularly speaks to local
groups to bring awareness of the services and assistance available through
Lighthouse of Collier.
Christina Harding Cruz Ms. Cruz grew up in a single parent household and her father’s absence was
difficult for her family both emotionally and financially. She knew at a young age
that she wanted to dedicate herself to helping others. She participated in several
assistance programs including the Guadalupe Center’s tutor corps. While in high
school, Ms. Cruz received college credits through the dual enrollment program and
graduated high school with an associate degree. She obtained her Bachelor’s in
2017 with Magna Cum Laude honors. Ms. Cruz founded “Love is Not an Option,”
a group that helps the homeless in Immokalee. She volunteered at the Pace Center
for Girls where she worked with at -risk young women and was eventually offered a
job there mentoring and leading programs. Ms. Cruz currently works at the David
Lawrence Center as a Forensic Specialist where she is responsible for 80 cases and
serves an advocate for clients. She plans to complete her master’s degree in social
work beginning this year at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Dr. Arthur Boyer Dr. Boyer immigrated from Haiti in September 1991 at a time when Haiti was
experiencing political turmoil and many people lost their lives. He began his
American journey in Immokalee as a farm worker. He struggled economically with
little clothing and food. For nine years, Dr. Boyer lived in fear of being deported.
He enrolled in the English program for adults in Immokalee and volunteered at
Legal Aid of Florida in Immokalee where he worked as a translator. In 2000, Dr.
Boyer became a legal resident of the U.S. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Criminal Justice, a Master of Public Administration from Hodges University, and
his Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University. He is
the founder and president of the Dr. Arthur Boyer Foundation, Inc., a non -profit
organization with the mission to inspire and strengthen community development
through a transformational sharing culture. During Hurricane Irma, he worked along
with the Red Cross, World Vision, local churches, and others to ensure the
community’s basic needs were met.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of two awards will not exceed $300.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: NONE.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issue, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To select Arthur Bookbinder and David Weigel as co-recipients of the 2018
“Against All Odds” award, and to present the award to both gentlemen at a future Board of County
Commissioners meeting.
PREPARED BY: Mike Sheffield, Director, Communication and Customer Relations
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Arthur Bookbinder (PDF)
2. David C Weigel (PDF)
3. Christina Harding Cruz (PDF)
4. Dr. Arthur Boyer (PDF)
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.E.3
Doc ID: 5253
Item Summary: Recommendation to select Arthur Bookbinder and David Weigel as co-recipients
of the 2018 “Against All Odds” award, and to present the award at a future Board of County
Commissioners meeting.
Meeting Date: 04/10/2018
Prepared by:
Title: Supervisor - Operations – Communication and Customer Relations
Name: Lissett DeLaRosa
03/28/2018 4:56 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Manager-Communications & Cust. Relations – Communication and Customer Relations
Name: Mike Sheffield
03/28/2018 4:56 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Administrative Services Department Michael Cox Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 03/29/2018 8:26 AM
Communication and Customer Relations Mike Sheffield Additional Reviewer Completed 03/29/2018 12:05 PM
Administrative Services Department Len Price Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 03/29/2018 12:51 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 03/29/2018 3:13 PM
Office of Management and Budget MaryJo Brock Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 03/29/2018 3:49 PM
County Manager's Office Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 03/30/2018 10:52 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 04/10/2018 9:00 AM
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Packet Pg. 826 Attachment: Arthur Bookbinder (5253 : Recommendation of recipients for 2018 “Against All Odds” award)
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Packet Pg. 865 Attachment: Christina Harding Cruz (5253 : Recommendation of recipients for 2018 “Against All Odds” award)
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