From serving on the board of Valerie’s House to feeding first responders after Hurricane Ian, McMurray & Members make giving back in Southwest Florida a priority.
Why?
Because we believe this vibrant coastal community is hands-down the best place to live. We love all the towns, islands and beaches, and we appreciate all the people and animals that make Southwest Florida so special.
If you agree, this blog is for you!
Get ready learn:
- The benefits of giving back to your community
- Why giving back to the community is so important
- What we are doing to give back and support SWFL
- How you can get involved in the Southwest Florida community
First let’s quickly cover the benefits of giving back to your local community.
Proven: Giving Back Boosts Health & Builds Community
It’s no secret that altruism feels good.
What’s more, the article goes on to say that charitable acts activate a part of the brain associated with community connection.
When you help your community, you help yourself. It’s a win-win.
So, ready to get started?
If you’re curious about getting involved in a local nonprofit in SWFL, keep reading.
Our Commitment to the SWFL Community
At McMurray & Members, giving back is always top of mind. We are proud to share that Mike has been a big part of Valerie’s House, a Southwest Florida nonprofit organization near and dear to his heart, for nearly a decade.
The mission of Valerie’s House is to help children and families work through the loss of a loved one and go on to live fulfilling lives. The vision of Valerie’s House is the No Child Will Grieve Alone.
From volunteering and mentoring to serving as Board Chair and even donating a portion of every home sale, Mike is incredibly dedicated to this impactful organization.
In addition to Mike’s ongoing work as Valerie’s House Board Chair, our entire team continually participates in local charity events, and sometimes we even orchestrate our own.
After Hurricane Ian, Mike and the team drove out to Sanibel & Captiva Island to provide hot meals for Southwest Florida first responders.
We do it because we love living in Southwest Florida, and we care about our neighbors.
Are you feeling inspired to serve Southwest Florida?
Even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference in the community. There is still a lot of work left to do after Hurricane Ian, and your help would be monumental.
We encourage you to find a cause you’re passionate about and do your part to keep SWFL’s heart beating.
Keep reading to discover different ways you can make a difference here in sunny SW Florida.
How You Can Give Back to Your Southwest Florida Community
Thinking about giving back? There are many ways you can give back to the Southwest Florida community.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter.
- Donate to a local charity or nonprofit organization.
- Mentor an at-risk child or young adult.
- Clean up local parks and beaches.
Are you ready to get started?
Below you’ll find a thorough list of some of SWFL’s best nonprofits that we love to support.
SWFL Nonprofits: How You Can Get Involved
Whether you want to spend more time with animals in need, deliver meals on wheels or save the sea turtles, there are plenty of SWFL nonprofits that will ignite your passion all over again.
Valerie’s House – Grief Support for SWFL Youth & Families
Valerie’s House supports children and families as they navigate the challenging road of grief and loss. You can make a difference by signing up as a Val’s PALs Mentor, becoming a group buddy and donating at
valerieshouse.org.
Community Cooperative – Feeding the Hungry & Homeless in Lee County
Community Cooperative is a Fort Myers soup kitchen that provides meals on wheels, mobile food pantries, school lunches, and much more. Volunteer and donate at communitycooperative.com.
Gulf Coast Humane Society – Helping Pets Find Forever Homes
As one of Southwest Florida’s longest-standing animal shelters, the Gulf Coast Humane Society has been saving, caring for, and rehoming pets for 75+ years. To volunteer or donate, visit
gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) – Caring for the Coastal Ecosystems of SWFL
SCCF monitors 700+ sea turtle nests per year. Through conservation efforts, they help preserve our lands, waters and wildlife on Sanibel and Captiva Island. Get involved at
www.sccf.org.
LARC Lee County – Serving People with Developmental Disabilities in SWFL
LARC assists Lee and Collier County disabled residents in achieving their full potential. LARC currently supports over 300 people and their families in Southwest Florida by offering vocational training, community residential services and more. Learn more at
larcleecounty.org.
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Inc. – Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the SWFL Islands
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Inc. lends a helping hand to those in need on Sanibel and Captiva Island. Their human resources efforts provide food programs, social services, and more. Learn more and donate
here.
The Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) – Saving Wildlife Through State-of-the-Art Care & Conservation
Through education, research, and rehabilitation, CROW has been a leading protector of Southwest Florida native wildlife for nearly 50 years. Discover how you can help by visiting
crowclinic.org.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Supporting the National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society acquires land and creates wildlife corridors within Sanibel’s national wildlife refuge, serving as an advocate for native wildlife in SWFL. Find more info at
dingdarlingsociety.org.
Together Let's Support Southwest Florida
As your SWFL agent, it is our pledge to support the Southwest Florida community on a consistent basis. We will continue to give our time and money to organizations whose missions we resonate with. We commit to serving Southwest Florida right now and for years to come.
Whether we’re volunteering alongside you or representing you in your search/sale of Southwest Florida real estate, we’d love to connect.
To learn more about giving back in SWFL, get in touch with our real estate team today.
We look forward to connecting with you!
