Oliver North to speak at Community Foundation's Humanitarian Awards Gala in Cape Coral

Michael Chatman
Updated ·3 min read
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The Community Foundation, a beacon of impactful giving and positive change in Southwest Florida, invites the community to join in a celebration of generosity and compassion at the annual Humanitarian Awards Gala. Set to take place on Friday, Jan. 12, at Cape Christian, this event promises an evening of inspiration, recognition, and gratitude for the region's leading humanitarians.

What is a humanitarian?

A humanitarian is an individual dedicated to promoting human welfare and compassion and to the alleviation of suffering. Rooted in a deep sense of empathy and ethical responsibility, humanitarians actively engage in efforts to address and resolve issues affecting humanity, such as poverty, conflict, natural disasters, and human rights abuses. They often work selflessly to help, relieve and support vulnerable and marginalized populations, seeking to improve living conditions and foster a more equitable and just world. Humanitarians can be found in various fields, including international aid organizations, nonprofits, and grassroots initiatives, contributing their time, skills, and resources to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Celebrating humanitarians acknowledges their selfless dedication to alleviating suffering and promoting well-being. It inspires others to engage in compassionate acts, fostering a culture of empathy, kindness, and positive change.

Highlighting the interconnected values of family, faith, patriotism, community, and work ethic, the Humanitarian Awards Gala pays homage to the vibrant individuals, humanitarians, and philanthropists in our community. These unsung heroes generously support various causes, both financially and through anonymous contributions, while dedicating their time to charitable work. The Community Foundation serves as the nexus for these compassionate individuals, guiding their impactful giving to create lasting positive change.

Lee County Commissioner, Brian Hamman, talked about tourism in Lee County and what steps the county was taking in heavily populated areas throughout the county. Lee County Sheriff's Office gave a media update on COVID-19. Officials with Lee Health, the health department, city, county and schools were on hand to say a few words, as well as answer questions.

The following individuals will be honored:

Joe North - Esquire, The North Law Firm, P.A.

Brian Hamman – Commissioner, Lee County, Florida

Guido Minaya – Vice Chair, Horizon Council

Dennis Gingerich – Founding Pastor, Cape Christian

Linda Gingerich – Registered Nurse, Lee Health

Anthony Sizemore – Police Chief, City of Cape Coral

In addition to these honors, renowned U.S. Combat Marine veteran, Colonel Oliver North, has been announced as the featured guest speaker for the evening. The best-selling author, founder of a small business, and holder of three U.S. patents, Colonel North has dedicated his life to service. For 17 years, he was a syndicated columnist and host of “War Stories” on FOX News Channel. Colonel North's insights and experiences promise to inspire and resonate with all attendees.

As Colonel North once stated, "Heroes aren't athletes who set new sports records, or Hollywood actors who make 'daring' films, or politicians who make bold promises. Heroes are people who place themselves at risk for the benefit of others." We seek to honor this with the utmost humility and celebrate those who are making a difference in our community.

The Humanitarian Awards Gala schedule:

6 p.m.: Dinner

7 p.m.: Music & Entertainment

7:45 pm: Guest Speaker, Oliver North

8:15 p.m.: Special Awards Presentations

The gala will take place at Cape Christian, 2110 Chiquita Blvd. S., Cape Coral.

The Community Foundation invites the community, board members, supporters, and sponsors to come together on Jan. 12 to honor and celebrate Southwest Florida's heroes. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available, offering individuals and businesses a chance to contribute to the continued success of the Community Foundation's impactful initiatives.

For more information and to secure your attendance, please visit contact alison@capecoralcf.org.

The Community Foundation, founded in Cape Coral, the largest city in Southwest Florida, is the voice and the choice of the region’s 5,214 nonprofits with a combined workforce of 37,610 employees that generate $4.15 billion in annual revenue. It is also the creator of Generous People, a weekly television production that combines entertainment with philanthropy. The groundbreaking series is broadcast weekly across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades and Hendry counties in Florida to more than 610,000 households. Every episode features real-world nonprofit leaders and experts who are working in the trenches of the charitable sector.

Michael Chatman is president & CEO of The Community Foundation, the global center for generosity, and can be reached at michael@capecoralcf.org. The foundation is located at 1405 SE 47th Terrace, Unit 2, Cape Coral. For information, call 239-542-5594 or go to www.capecoralcf.org.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Oliver North to speak at Humanitarian Awards Gala in Cape Coral