Agenda 01/13/2026 Item # 4D (Proclamation - Designating January 13, 2026, to recognize the 40th Anniversary of the Collier Community Foundation)PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Collier Community Foundation was founded in 1985 by community leaders William
Oberhelman and Donald T. Franke, along with other community members, whose shared
vision was to strengthen Collier County through informed philanthropy, civic leadership,
and long-term community investment; and
WHEREAS, for forty years, the Collier Community Foundation has served as a trusted philanthropic
partner—connecting donors, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to advance the
civic, cultural, educational, environmental, and charitable interests of Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the Collier Community Foundation manages hundreds of charitable funds, awards grants
and scholarships, convenes partnerships, and mobilizes resources to address evolving
community needs while fostering collaboration and measurable community impact; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its forty-year history, the Collier Community Foundation has distributed
more than $400 million in grants and scholarships, strengthening nonprofits, expanding
educational opportunities, and investing in programs that improve quality of life
throughout Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the Collier Community Foundation has addressed critical priorities including affordable
housing, food security, education and workforce development, environmental stewardship,
mental health and wellness, support for seniors and veterans, and disaster preparedness and
recovery; and
WHEREAS, the foundation has demonstrated leadership during times of crisis by coordinating
emergency relief, supporting neighborhood recovery efforts, and advancing long-term
resiliency initiatives to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, in celebration of its fortieth anniversary, the Collier Community Foundation honors a
legacy built on stewardship, accountability, partnership, and innovation—while continuing
to invest in solutions that will benefit Collier County for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, the Collier Community Foundation’s impact reflects the collective commitment of donors,
nonprofit partners, volunteers, and civic leaders who believe in the power of local
philanthropy to create lasting positive change;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that January 13, 2026, be designated to
RECOGNIZE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLIER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 13TH Day of January 2026.
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County, Florida
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Dan Kowal, Chairman
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COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR PROCLAMATION
Please complete the form below and email to Proclamations@collier.gov along with a draft of the
proclamation (Insert language on the Draft Proclamation From linked on the same webpage as this Request
Form). Forms must be submitted a minimum of 13 days prior to the requested meeting date.
Please note: A Commissioner sponsor is required!
COMMISSIONER(S) AGREEING TO SPONSOR: ______________________________________________________
Once the Board agenda is approved by the Chair, staff will contact you to confirm receipt and presentation at an
upcoming Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you have any questions, please email
Proclamations@collier.gov or by calling (239) 252-8075.
NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
DATE OF THE COMMISSION MEETING BEING REQUESTED FOR PRESENTATION:
TOPIC/REASON FOR THE PROCLAMATION REQUEST:
DOES THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZE A SPECIFIC CALENDAR DATE? _
HAS THE PROCLAMATION BEEN PRESENTED BY THE BOARD IN PREVIOUS YEARS?
NAME OF THE LEAD RECIPIENT AND TITLE (IF APPLICABLE) WHO WILL BE PRESENT AND INTRODUCED AT THE
MEETING TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION: (Other attendees may also participate in the receipt of the
Proclamation but will be announced by the County Manager as “distinguished guests.” Commissioners may opt to
identify others, by name, in any comments they make during or after the presentation of the Proclamation.)
LEAD RECIPIENT NAME: ___________________________________________________________
Note: A photograph will be taken with the County Commissioners at the meeting when the proclamation is
presented. Other persons present with the recipients may also come forward at the time of the photograph.
Would you like a copy of this photograph sent (circle one): Via email / Via U.S. Mail
Per your delivery selection, please provide a name and email address or physical mailing address if different than
already provided on the form above:
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY:
DATE FORM RECEIVED: RECEIVED BY:
ACCEPTED: DENIED: REASON FOR DENIAL:
APPLICANT NOTIFIED ON (DATE): VIA TELEPHONE / EMAIL / US MAIL
BY: (SIGNATURE) REVISED 10/2025
Rick LoCastro
Cindi Withorn
1110 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 200
Naples, FL, 34108
239-307-4525
cwithorn@colliercf.org
1/13/26
Collier Community Foundation's 40th Anniversary
1/13/26
No
Eileen Connolly-Keesler, Collier Community Foundation president and CEO
Page 228 of 14062
From: Rick LoCastro <Rick.LoCastro@collier.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2025 3:42 PM
To: Cindi Withorn <cwithorn@colliercf.org>
Cc: Eileen Connolly-Keesler <ekeesler@colliercf.org>; Aixa Capizzi
<Aixa.Capizzi@collier.gov>
Subject: FW: CCF 40th anniversary proclamation
Cindi
Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to get the process started for a County
Proclamation! I've CC'd my executive assistant (Aixa Capizzi) on this email… and we will
work together to get this moving through the County process that vets and approves all
Proclamations…
I will strongly sponsor it.
I appreciate and accept the invite to attend your January 28th evening event and read the
Proclamation… please let me know if I may also bring my fiancé with me.
…Rick
RICK LOCASTRO
Collier County Commissioner
District 1
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