Jewish Federation of Greater Naples announces awards at Power of Community Celebration

Winners include Collier County teachers, local nonprofits

NAPLES, Fla. (April 10, 2024) – The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is honoring a slate of local residents making a difference with it annual Power of Community awards, presented at a celebratory brunch on Sunday, April 7.

“These awards truly celebrate the life-changing impact we can make on both our local community and the wider world when we join together,” said Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. “We are honored and privileged to shine the spotlight on this latest crop of exemplary individuals and organizations working for the greater good of the community.”

The event celebrates the Annual Community Campaign, the fundraising arm of the Federation, to meet the financial needs of local, regional, national and overseas humanitarian organizations and beneficiary agencies. A committee of volunteers and the Federation staff balance available resources with community priorities through a grant process.

Beneficiaries include community-wide needs as well as various educational and cultural programs conducted by local synagogues, the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, other local Jewish organizations and social, educational and vocational needs throughout the Jewish world.

Awards presented at the event included:

• The Human Needs Award, an annual monetary award created by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Federation to acknowledge positive contributions of small nonprofit organizations serving severely means-limited disadvantaged populations. The 2024 winners are:
  • NAMI Collier County, which provides free mental health support, advocacy and education that inspires resilience and strengthens communities in our region.
  • Coalition of Immokalee Workers, a worker-based, human rights organization that has been internationally recognized for its achievements in fighting human trafficking and gender-based violence at work.
• The Stand Up for Justice Award is an educator grant that recognizes school educators who are innovative in bringing respect for others’ differences into their activities in a transformative, impactful and caring way. The 2024 winners are:
  • Jory Lawson of Big Cypress Elementary School, who established a friendship ambassador program to meet and greet new students.
  • Rachael Cordeiro, Eden Park Elementary School, who led the school’s efforts with a new class for deaf and hearing-impaired students, including a buddy program and weekly lunch bunches.
  • Kelly Stevenson-Crews and Carrey Van Dyne, Golden Gate High School, for a high school transition program that promotes unity and kindness.
  • Jennifer Szczepkowski, Naples High School, for organizing a Best Buddies club affiliated with a national organization.
  • Catherine Crawford, Beacon High School, for her student support efforts at this alternative high school.
  • Annina Cosentino, Pine Ridge Middle School, for programs promoting World Kindness Day and combatting bigotry and bullying.
  • Lonzo Morgan, Immokalee Middle School, for a suicide awareness and prevention program.
• The Power of Community Award recognizes outstanding commitment and support demonstrated by a communal agency, congregation, community organization or individual in strengthening community partnerships and cooperation. The 2024 recipient is Clark Hill, general manager, Hilton Naples, who was recognized for leadership, commitment and dedication on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.
• Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award, which honors the achievements of Collier County high school seniors demonstrating leadership in their activities at their respective congregation and or BBYO, the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement. Recipients receive a $2,500 scholarship. 2024 recipients were Bella Schaab, Kylie Bell and Sam Kelley.
• The Community Campaign Award recognizes exemplary support for charitable fundraising efforts in support of the community. The 2024 winner is Paula Filler, who has personally called or met with more than 100 Federation donors.

About Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is the thread that runs through the fabric of the Jewish Community, its organizations and services, connecting the Jewish community. The Federation supports programs for Jewish people and the entire community in need in the greater Naples area, Israel and throughout the world, providing food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, spearheading rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives. The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Greater Naples and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors. For information, visit jewishnaples.org, call 239-263-4205 or email info@jewishnaples.org.