The Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime held its 15th Annual Spirit of Marco Island Awards dinner on Saturday, April 26, at the Island Country Club. The theme was “Elegant Garden Gala,” with attendees encouraged to wear beautiful floral attire.
Honorees for the evening included Scot and Pat Kaufman, Stephen and Barbara Slaggie, Deb Henry and local Marco Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes.
The gala also included a “Cash Appeal” for the Lorenzo Walker Technical College that raised over $70,000 for a new professional nursing program that will have a profound effect on Collier County’s health care.
The Spirit of Marco Island awards are presented each year to individuals, businesses and organizations that are involved through their contribution of time, talent and financial support of community causes. The recipients are nominated by local residents and other civic organizations and are ultimately selected by a committee of Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island members.
Al Diaz, master of ceremonies, along with Sue Haviland, president of the Noontime Rotary Club, made the Spirit Awards presentations at the gala.
Scot and Pat Kaufman are from Maryland and have demonstrated their commitment to “giving back” through initiatives like the “Patricia and Scott Kaufman Cancer City” in Bel Air, Maryland, which they founded Their philanthropy is guided by the Christian principle: “To those to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Locally, the Kaufman’s have donated $4 million to the construction of the new 25,000 sq. ft. NCH Urgent Care Center, which will be known as the Pat and Scot Kaufman Healthcare Center. They also generously provided funds for the purchase of the building that will be the new home for the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. The Kaufman’s saw the critical need of their community and filled the void with their generous hearts.
Stephen and Barbara Slaggie have been dedicated to the arts and humanity causes for many years in both Florida and Minnesota. The Marco Island community has benefited from their generosity with the Slaggie’s gift of $5 million toward the new 25,000 sq. ft. NCH Urgent Care Center, currently under construction, and which the campus will be named after them.
The Slaggie’s have also been very generous benefactors of “Our Daily Bread Food Pantry” – a further example of their commitment to helping those in need in our community.
Deb Henry is a member of the Marco Island City Council and a member of the Noontime Rotary. She was recognized for her extensive volunteer work in the community. The person who nominated her commented; “Deb is not someone who delegates and sits back. She is someone who does, someone who sees needs and rushes to fill them with compassion and good humor. It is impossible to come away from an encounter with her without smiling as she lifts those around her.”
Accepting recognition on behalf of the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes were Ralph Peterman and Carol Stanczak.The Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes have a long and distinguished history over the years of working together to raise funds to support charities by organizing many events,” The Knights of Columbus emphasizes four key principles: “charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.”
Since the inception of the Marco Island Spirit awards 15 years ago, there have been a total of 14 combined Knights and Columbiettes recognized with the Spirit Award. This is more than any other organization on the island. The “Cash Appeal” for the Lorenzo Walker Technical College, raised over $70,000 for a new professional nursing program which will have a positive effect on Collier County’s health care. With a current shortage locally of 300 nurses, with over half RN’s, the college estimates the majority of these new RN’s will stay in the local market, raising the level of medical service in our community, as well as helping local LPNs advance their careers.
Those in attendance were moved by the healthcare need and responded generously with audience donation pledges up to $25,000! The tremendous outpouring of generosity was awe-inspiring and reflected the evening’s theme of “Spirit of Marco.”
In addition to the “cash appeal,” additional funds were raised through generous sponsorships and a silent auction, with interesting and varied auction items provided by local businesses and Rotarians.
All proceeds from the event and silent auction are used to support
local charities, scholarships, students, schools and other charitable causes. The Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island is a community and international service organization that takes great pride in acknowledging this year’s honorees for their incredible contributions to our island paradise!
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: The ‘Spirit’ of Marco: Rotary Club presents awards to giving Islanders
Reporting by Submitted / Marco Eagle
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