THE BUBBLE
During the ‘Rainy” season, many Spring Run members sit on their lanais viewing thick, dark, lightening infused clouds while listening to the bass sounds of thunder, with the anticipation of a downpour. Most days the rain cools off the mugginess of the summer heat; but then there are days the rain bypasses us. This is the “Bonita Bubble.”
Our area has another Bubble. Our resort lifestyle mostly ignores the nearby poverty and the working poor. Lee County’s population is over 835,000, with 12.1% living in poverty. Those who need our help live less than 10 minutes away. While many full-time residents volunteer, our charities are telling us that the migration of more than 100,000 seasonal residents effects their volunteer pool the most. The number of volunteers drops, but the needs of those served by these volunteers do not. Off season for most of our charities is the toughest time.
Lisa Swanson, Executive Director of Interfaith Charities of South Lee, told SRCF that ICSL could not exist without volunteers, they’re the fuel that keeps ICSL running and are always needed. George Wondolowski, a long time volunteer loves to talk about his rewarding experiences at ICSL. ICSL, beyond their food pantry, provides a financial assistance program that pays utility bills, rents, and mortgages for clients. They offer English as a Second Language for adults’ classes, a Pre-K reading program, summer lunch program for children under 18, and assistance in registering for the SNAP program as well as Medicaid. Check them out at https://www.icslee.org/volunteer.
A.N.A’s Friends, a 501(c)(3), organization that supports abandoned, neglected and abused children in SW Florida, also provides the Guardian ad Litem Support Program. This invaluable initiative goes above and beyond to ensure the welfare and protection of vulnerable children by recruiting, training, and retaining Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocates for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Lee County always needs Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocates. This is an opportunity for you to become a specially trained advocate, to be the eyes, ears, and voice of children in various arenas, including court, school, the child welfare system, and temporary living situations. Michael Lepchitz volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem. Recently two of the children he has be working with for over two years were adopted into a loving, nurturing family. He says the Adoption Ceremony brings tears of joy to all who made it happen. To receive more information about becoming a Guardian ad Litem, click this link: https://guardianadlitem.org/volunteer-with-guardian-ad-litem/volunteer-inquiry/or to volunteer for A.N.A’s Friends click this link: https://www.anasfriends.org/volunteer.
Hey sports enthusiast, sign up to volunteer or coach for FL. Tri-County Challenged Athletes Association. The Florida Tri-County Challenged Athletes Association was developed in 2005 for challenged youths who reached the age of twenty-one and could no longer play under Little League rules. Today this 501(c)(3) organization servers over 125 challenged adults, helping them to learn the basic skills of different sports, good sportsmanship, communication, and social skills. This association needs volunteers to serve as coaches, referees, scorekeepers, etc. Click this link https://tricountyathletes.com for more information.
Regardless if you are a full-time or seasonal resident, don’t exist in a Bubble! SRCF charities need you. Volunteer your time for a good cause.