Nonprofits

BECKWITH Samira K. Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope Health- Care Services, will become only the 25th recipient of The Ohio State University Alumni Medalist Award on Sept. 25 in Columbus. The award is the single highest honor accorded by The Ohio State University Alumni Association and is presented to alumni who have gained national or international distinction as outstanding exponents of a chosen field of profession and have brought extraordinary credit to the university and significant benefit to humankind. Ms. Beckwith, who earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work at The Ohio State University, has served as president and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services since 1991.

Honorary chairs for Community Cooperative Ministries Inc.'s fourth annual Becoming Cosmopolitan event have been announced. Kathy Galloway, Margeann Gilbert, Mavis Miller, Marjorie Starnes and Sandy Stilwell will serve as honorary chairs for the much-anticipated event, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19 at The Veranda Restaurant in downtown Fort Myers. This women's-only evening features exclusive shopping with local vendors, gourmet hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, sinfully delicious chocolate and desserts and a live and silent auction, all in celebration of the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Southwest Florida.

DILL Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County announced its board of directors for 2009- 2011. Marcia Davis is the new chief volunteer officer; Jim Larkin is presidentelect; Teresa Brown is vice president; Al Hernandez is treasurer, Richard Fain is secretary; and Scott Koenig is immediatepast president.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida announced that Wendy Dill, executive assistant to the CEO, is now a certified professional in human resources. Certified PHRs must complete coursework including strategic management, workforce planning and development, labor relations, risk management, total rewards and human resource development. Children's Advocacy Center is a crisis center that works with sexually and physically abused children and is designed to be a safe and friendly place for them to come and be heard and help them get on the road to recovery.