Naples Lakes Raises $21,000 to Fuel Veteran-led Team Rubicon’s Disaster Response Efforts

Residents of Naples Lakes Country Club have proven their philanthropic proficiency by continuously supporting local charitable organizations. Now their generosity is going global via Team Rubicon, a veteran -led disaster response organization that mobilizes veterans and leverages their skills to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises in the U.S. and around the world.

When Naples Lakes resident Mary Pavento heard about Team Rubicon, she orchestrated a presentation by Joe Kaye of the organization to residents of the East Naples community.

Explains Pavento, “When learning that Team Rubicon had been rebuilding homes in nearby Immokalee after Hurricane Irma, members from each NLCC social and athletic group planned a variety of activities over a period of several months, ultimately raising $20,932 for this applauded global organization. Donations were raised from a putting contest, a silent auction with items such as golf, tennis, pickleball and fitness lessons, a week in Costa Rica, plus a gourmet meal prepared by the Club Chef in an owners’ home, to name a few. Every community sector was involved!”

NLCC residents assisting Chairwoman Pavento included Frank Riemer, Chris Tierney, Pat Kehoe, Diane Waltrip, George Runey, Susan Lawson, Monica Pitruzello, Jim Wilson and Peter Vincinanzo, plus the NLCC Pro Shop and Club Staff.

Added Bryan Roe, General Manager of the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course community, “We are extremely proud of the philanthropic spirit that prevails in our close-knit and caring community. With 731 residences, we may be small in size compared to some nearby communities, but we are giants in terms of giving.”

Founded in 2010 by two U.S. Marines following the Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that utilizes the training, skills, and experiences of military veterans as they serve vulnerable and at-risk populations affected by disasters and humanitarian crises. Their past military experiences have made them highly effective in providing disaster response and humanitarian assistance after wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and other extreme weather events. Since the Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon has responded to over 350 disasters in the U.S. and around the world.

In addition to their large donation to Team Rubicon, during the last six years, the NLCC Ladies Golf Association – and other NL groups – have generated over $300,000 in in-kind and monetary donations in support of local organizations serving the needs of women and children. Some of these include St. Matthew’s House, Youth Haven, Care Club of Collier County, Humane Society of Naples, Grace Place, Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Swinging with Purpose, Kiwanis Club of East Naples, Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, Providence House and East Naples Foundation.

About Naples Lakes Country Club

Located at 4784 Naples Lakes Boulevard, Naples Lakes Country Club (NaplesLakesFL.com) is a private 490-acre gated golf course and country club community where “bundled” golf membership is included with every residence. At the heartbeat of the community is the newly renovated Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, the last course renovation reviewed by Arnold Palmer before his passing. Naples Lakes contains more than 200 acres of lakes and protected nature preserves and has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, one of only 114 in Florida.

For more information, visit NaplesLakesFL.com. Twitter | Facebook