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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