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June 7, 2024FY2023 President’s Volunteer Service Awards
57 Cypress Cove Residents Receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award
FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 21, 2024) Cypress Cove luxury life plan community recognized and celebrated 57 residents on February 19, 2024 (President’s Day) who volunteered a total of 15,682 hours on campus.
Under the guidance of AmeriCorps and in collaboration with Points of Light, The President’s Volunteer Service Award program empowers certifying organizations to honor their most outstanding volunteers. Among these organizations stands Cypress Cove, empowered to acknowledge volunteers who exceed the criteria for this prestigious award program: Gold Award for 500 or more hours, Silver Award for 250 to 499 hours, and Bronze Award for 100 to 249 hours of service.
Eleven residents received gold-level recognition, eleven silver, and thirty-five bronze. Each recipient received a letter from the White House congratulating them on their service, a personalized certificate, and a gold, silver or bronze pin designating their level of volunteer hours.
“This is our fourth year participating in the awards program. To date, we have presented 199 awards! The Cypress Cove community is comprised of people who care deeply about each other and serve each other daily. It is truly special!” said Darlene Chamlee Smith, the Community Advancement and Volunteer Coordinator.
Smith, who maintains the data for the community’s volunteer program, believes that the program’s success can be summed up in one comment from a past recipient who said the program gives her purpose and she is grateful to do what she can to help.
“Cypress Cove residents have a variety of opportunities to contribute their lifelong experiences by participating in committees, leading beloved activities, or exploring something new on both campus and throughout Southwest Florida. They generously dedicate themselves to enhancing their community through diverse roles,” expressed Executive Director Mary Franklin.
Residents at Cypress Cove can engage in a myriad of volunteer endeavors, ranging from contributing to the Cypress Scholarship Committee and operating the Main Street Market, to tutoring ESL for team members and delivering essential packages to fellow residents. Additionally, opportunities abound for woodworking enthusiasts to craft and repair items in the wood shop, for creative souls to lead artistic ventures in the Creative Arts Studio, and for book lovers to maintain the well-stocked libraries. Residents can make a meaningful impact by sewing caps for pediatric surgery patients at neighboring Golisano Children’s Hospital, participating in various committees, and exploring numerous other fulfilling volunteer roles that promise both enjoyment and significance.
An additional 123 residents volunteered 3,378 hours at Cypress Cove during FY2023, for a total of 19,060 volunteer hours by 180 Cypress Cove residents in FY2023. They will all be celebrated at an event in April during National Volunteer Week.
About Cypress Cove
Cypress Cove, a not-for-profit organization opened in 1999, is a well-established, highly respected, life plan community (formerly known as a continuing care retirement community) recognized nationally for innovation in senior living. Located on a beautiful 60-acre campus at HealthPark Florida in South Fort Myers, Cypress Cove is home to more than 650 residents and offers a full complement of quality living options—independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care assisted living, rehabilitative care, and home health.