On Friday, Jan. 20, The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) held its Unsung Hero/Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2011 at the annual luncheon held at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West. In its 11th year, this annual event brought together over 330 people from the nonprofit and philanthropic community to honor those who have answered the call of volunteerism and made valuable contributions to their respective groups throughout the year. Nearly 80 Monroe County nonprofits proudly put forth their Unsung Hero/Volunteer of the Year who received certificates of recognition presented by CFFK President and CEO Dianna Sutton.
“The Community Foundation is very proud to sponsor this annual event,” says Dianna Sutton, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. “Our lives and the quality of life in the Keys are greatly enhanced by the nonprofit community and the generous nature of the people of Monroe County.”
Established in 1996, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys is making Key West and the Florida Keys a better place to live now and in the future by encouraging philanthropy and matching these acts of caring to the community needs. CFFK convenes and empowers people to make effective investments in our community through philanthropy. Since 1996, CFFK has granted more than $14 million to the community from its donor advised and unrestricted funds to support the important work of our local nonprofit organizations. For more information on our Community Foundation, contact the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys at cffk@cffk.org or call (305) 292-1502.
- Domestic Abuse Shelter: Larry Kahn
- Key West Art & Historical Society: Ellen Engelson
- Key West Writer’s Guild: Diana Reif
- Monroe Association of ReMARCable Citizens: Michael Marrero
- Florida Keys Outreach Coalition: Niels Hubbell
- American Legion Auxiliary #168: Marcia Sweeting Somersall
- The Studios of Key West: Jane Grannis
- Boys & Girls Clubs of The Keys Area: Suzanne Sullivan
- Key West Garden Club: Mary Sandusky
- Friends of the Aids Memorial: Clayton Lopez
David Miller and his wife, Donamae Szepesi, volunteer with Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness program, which helps income-qualified homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. Habitat is grateful to David for selflessly giving his time and construction skills. He puts his faith into action.
- Tropic Cinema: Ian Brockway
- Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition: Dr. George Peterson
- USGCG Ingram Memorial Museum: Southernmost Chiefs Association
- Key West Pops: Jeffrey Grosky
- Southernmost Homeless Assistance League: Mayor Craig Cates
- American Cancer Society: Josie Koler
- Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe: Alan Eckstein
- Navy League Key West: Carolyn Williams
- Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower FL Keys: David Miller
- I Believe Foundation: Rev. R.J. Starr
- Canon John H. Reece Scholarship Fund: Darlene Bennett
- Old Island Restoration Foundation: Bill Beck
- Key West Botanical Garden Society: Susie Reutling
- Key West Woman’s Club: Ann Eid
- Friends of the Key West Library: Jane Dawkins
- Historic Florida Keys Foundation: Laura Dockery
- Good Health Clinic: Dr. Leslie Safer
- KWCA/Impromptu Classical Concerts: Ruth Anne & Jon Davis
- Unity of the Keys Spiritual Center: Naomi Hazeltine
- Helpline: Clinton Barras
- Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys: Gale Killion
- Trophia Butterfly Foundation: Richard Stephens
- Last Stand: Tina Henize
Maureen, a Speech/Language Pathologist and Interpreter is Secretary of the Heron-Peacock Board of Directors, where her contributions are considerable. She has volunteered for the Jail Recidivism Task Force; Key West NAMI; Easter Seals; Keys Chorale; Florida Keys Deaf Services; Take Stock in Children; the Garden Club and Team Ocean. She is an important part of Heron-Peacock and an asset to our community.
- Habitat For Humanity of the Upper Keys: Dan McAfee
- Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the FL Keys: Rosemary Hymes
- Heron-Peacock Supported Living: Maurene Freedman
- Westcare Guidance/Care Center: Marjorie Mearns
- Hemingway Look-A-Like Society: Patti Carey
- FKCC Foundation: M. Pat Miller
- Conch Life Scramble: Lee Christine Young
- Metropolitan Community Church: Joan Higgs
- Zonta of Key West: Amber Shaffer
- Pete Rosin Scholarship Fund: Joan Walters
- Save Our Pines: Ed Reilly
- Aids Help: Joey Schroeder
- Montessori Children’s School: Eva Hamilton
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West: Clifford Saylor
- Wesley House Family Services: Kirsti Madeo & Pat Madiedo
- Sigsbee Charter School: Ron Demes
- Be the Change of the Florida Keys: Mark Todaro
- Womankind: Dr. Kris Bly
- Samuel’s House: Violet Montero
- REEF Environmental Education Foundation: Nancy Perez
- Sister Season Fund: Surrey Westrupp
- Literacy Volunteers: Maria Triana
Maria Triana came to our organization 20 years ago as a student knowing no English. Today Maria is Middle Keys Coordinator for Literacy Volunteers of America, helping her own students achieve personal goals through increased literacy skills.
- Sculpture Key West: June & Clark Luster
- Marathon Wild Bird Center: Jerry Underhill
- FKCC Keys Chorale: Genevieve Kelly
- Florida Keys Council of the Arts: Carolyn Sullivan
- United Way of the Florida Keys: Erin O’Hara
- Educational Coalition for Monroe County: Marie & Peter Pittman
- Anne McKee Artist Fund: Carol Tedesco
- Keys Kids: Michelle Elgeralbi
- Florida Keys SPCA: Kim Wilkerson
- Florida Keys Children’s Shelter: Rick Ramsay & Don Hiller
- History of Diving Museum: Zhanna Cashdollar
- Sunrise Rotary Foundation: Matt Babich
- Leadership Monroe County: Manny Madruga
- Voices for Florida Keys Children: Kathy Lasseter
- American Civil Liberties Union: John Gish
- Waterfront Playhouse: Rob Carlson
- RPM Nautical Foundation: Rae Burns
- Key West Orchid Society: Florence Bousquet
- Red Barn Theatre: Michele Grahl
- Key West Rotary Club Foundation: Tommy Haskins
- Lower Keys Chapter #1851, AARP: Richard “Diver” Overmann
- Friends of Fort Taylor: Matthew Massoud
- American Red Cross: Dr. Margaret Blair
