In 2003, when Verandah was founded, the Verandah Fund was established. The money in the Fund is provided by a homebuyer when they purchase a resale property in Verandah. (They put 1/4 of 1% of the purchase price in the Fund.) The Fund is managed for Verandah by the Collaboratory – a southwest Florida nonprofit that pools donations and coordinates charitable grant making to improve the social fabric of the area.
Earlier this year the Board asked homeowners for their recommendations of deserving local charitable organizations that could be supported by the Verandah Fund. The VCA Board is pleased to announce that the Fund will provide $52,500 to twenty charities, designated by the IRS as a 501c3, that operate in and close to Verandah. Two of these organizations are based in Verandah – the Sew and Sews and the Visions of Sugar Plums.
The twenty recipients include All Souls Outreach, Animal Refuge Center, Blessings in a Backpack, the Children’s Advocacy Center of SW Florida, Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club, Foster Village SWFL, Fort Myers Lions Club, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Harry Chapin Food Bank of SW Florida, Hearts and Homes for Vets, McGregor Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Saint Martin de Porres Outreach, Sew and Sews, St. Mathew’s House, St. Vincent Food Pantry, SW Florida Concert Band, Visions of Sugar Plums, Uncommon Friends Foundation, and the Wings of Shelter.
Each of their requests for support were carefully screened. Together they provide food for hungry families, support animal welfare, promote child advocacy, support our veterans, and benefit music programs.
The VCA Board is very pleased that Verandah can make a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate and in need of our support. If anyone would like more information about these organizations please reach out to VCA’s General Manager James Tanigawa.
