Honoring the women in your life

We are very excited to announce a new opportunity to honor or memorialize a special woman in your life.

The Women's Legacy Fund has established an "Angel" designation to honor or memorialize a special woman in your life. Through a contribution of $1,000 or more, which goes directly into the Women's Legacy endowment, a person can honor or memorialize a friend, loved one, or relative by naming them an Angel of the Women's Legacy Fund.

Angels are not considered members of the fund but are recognized in publications of the fund and the annual report of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation as well as at future events of the Women's Legacy Fund.

Our very first Angel was recently named to memorialize Isabelle Barbara Haznar Wojnar. Family members and friends described Mrs. Wojnar thusly: "A daughter of immigrants, she understood the value of hard work and education. As a public school teacher for many decades, she supported the importance of helping young people succeed. In her retirement, she contributed time and money to many Southwest Florida community groups. As a world traveler, she conveyed her respect and interest in many communities, cultures, and creeds."

Annual luncheon and grant awards

At our first membership meeting last October, members voted and decided to make literacy this year's granting focus. We will hold a luncheon May 16 at Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club to announce the inaugural grants being awarded this year.

The Women's Legacy Fund has raised more than $34,000 so far and is continuing to grow as the word spreads.

The Women's Legacy Fund was established to improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida from a woman's perspective. Through an active membership and our grant program, we will inspire women to become leaders in philanthropy, educate women and the community on current issues and philanthropic strategies, and empower women to strengthen our community from their unique giving perspective.

We offer two membership opportunities: the Benefactress, who annually contributes $250 or more and is considered a voting member and the Patroness, who annually contributes $25-$249 and is a non-voting member. Anyone may contribute in honor or in memory of an Angel, but these gifts will not be counted toward membership.

Every October, current benefactress members will be allowed to vote on what the area of need will be the focus for the spring granting cycle.

If you are interested in naming an "Angel" or in becoming a member of the Women's Legacy Fund, please contact the Community Foundation office at 239-274-5900.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has been supporting the communities of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry through endowed funds for more than 30 years. With assets of more than $57 million and 314 endowed funds, the community foundation has provided more than $30 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves.

For more information, please call 274-5900, or visit their web site at www.floridacommunity.com.