SARASOTA, Fla. (May 13, 2024) – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $2,000 to Sarasota Youth Orchestras. For more than 60 years, the program has been providing young musicians in the surrounding counties with musical instruction, performing opportunities and chances to study and perform classical music with their peers.
Thousands of young people have become better musicians through the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, and many have gone on to perform with Sarasota Orchestra or other major symphony orchestras throughout the country. Eight different youth orchestras rehearse weekly from September through April. Each ensemble performs three concerts each year, culminating in a final Spring Showcase performance.
Students progress through the program from string ensembles up through full orchestras. Auditions are held each year, and the application window has just closed for the 2024-2025 season.
Alyson Rozier is the director of education for Sarasota Orchestra. “We are so grateful to Neal Communities for supporting our program and local students,” said Rozier. “We are able to off-set tuition expenses for students through the generosity of donors and foundations, and we are thankful for the assistance in keeping the costs reasonable for families.”
Tuition for the Youth Orchestra program is $330 per student, plus a $25 application fee. The tuition is a fraction of the cost to Sarasota Orchestra per student, so donations and grants are essential to keep the program running. Sibling discounts are available, and full tuition scholarships are awarded based on family need.
With a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 10, 2024) – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $5,000 as a Gold Star Sponsor of the Sarasota County Schools Outstanding Volunteer Award event, held April 25, 2024. The event recognized the individual volunteers and business partners that support the schools by giving of their time and resources.
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, the number of volunteer hours equated to nearly $3 million in in-kind support for the Sarasota County school system.
Sarasota County Schools Director of Strategic Engagement Dr. Harriet D. Moore speaks at the event.
Sarasota County Schools Director of Strategic Engagement Dr. Harriet D. Moore, said, “We are so thankful for the dedicated volunteers that generously give of their time to support the school system and the success of our students.”
Volunteers fill a number of needs, including mentoring and tutoring students, supporting teachers and students in the classroom, preparing instructional materials, assisting with programs and events, helping in media centers and cafeterias, and much more. Many schools rely on volunteers, and most have a volunteer coordinator to match volunteers with opportunities.
With a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com. For more information about volunteering in Sarasota County Schools, contact the school district Office of Community Involvement at 941.927.9000, ext. 31500 or communityinvolvement@sarasotacountyschools.net.
The Outstanding Volunteer Awards Planning TeamDr. Harriet D. Moore, Director of Strategic EngagementRachael O’Dea, Deputy Superintendent, Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Harriet D. Moore, Director of Strategic Engagement; and Terry Connor, SuperintendentGuests at the Outstanding Volunteer Awards included Neal Communities’ Katie Alderman, community affairs coordinator
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 9, 2024) – Neal Communities’ headquarters in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, had an unusual visitor recently. Quacky, the bright yellow ducky mascot of Pace Center for Girls, stopped by to encourage Neal Communities employees to get their ducks in a row for this year’s 15th Annual Lucky Ducky Race for Pace.
Quacky has been making stops all over Manatee County, encouraging everyone she meets to adopt “ducklings” for the race, which will take place Saturday, May 11, 2024, and begins at Caddy’s Bradenton. More than 30,000 rubber ducks will race along the Manatee River for prizes which include a two-year lease on a Jeep (or $5,000 cash) sponsored by Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, weekly dinner for two at Anna Maria Oyster Bar for a full year (some restrictions apply), an outfit a month for a full year from the Teal Turtle Boutique, and more.
The event benefits Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County, a year-round school that provides girls and young women with an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.
For the ninth consecutive year, Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, will partner with Pace Center for Girls as a sponsor. Neal Communities’ $10,000 donation assists Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County with its program and necessities, including uniforms, transportation, supplies and more. In addition to the donation from Neal Communities, employees of the homebuilder also support the cause by adopting rubber ducks and raising even more funds to help the Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County. Last year, employee-raised funds added an additional $1,700.
Jennifer Villarreal, accounting manager for Neal Communities, coordinates the company’s involvement with the event. “It’s an honor to be part of a company that builds beautiful neighborhoods and also supports the growth and wellbeing of our local communities,” said Villarreal. “The Pace Duck Race is an adorable event and #TeamNeal has shown their support with a record number of duck adoptions – over 500 and counting! Every dollar raised through duck adoptions goes towards changing the lives of girls in Manatee County.”
Duckies are still available for adoption at www.duckrace.com/Manatee. To adopt as part of the Neal Communities team, visit www.duckrace.com/manatee/teams/4712. You don’t have to be present to win, but thousands of duckies floating down the river is a sight not to be missed. In fact, some of the duckies are quite fancy, as there is also a Best Dressed Duck competition. Neal Communities’ submission for Best Dressed Duck took home an award for 2nd Runner Up. It features Captain Quacky piloting Manatee County’s new Gulf Island Ferry.
All this fun is for a good cause. Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County integrates social services and education in an individualized manner, and it is recognized nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping adolescent girls out of the juvenile justice system. The organization uses a strengths-based approach that harnesses the unique potential of each girl with a focus on future outcomes. Pace Manatee has worked with more than 1,500 girls over the years and is one of Pace Center’s almost two dozen Florida locations.
Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. The company has built more than 21,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
Neal Communities’ submission for Best Dressed Duck, Captain Quacky piloting Manatee County’s new Gulf Island Ferry, took home an award for 2nd Runner Up.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 3, 2024) – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County (BGCLC) to support the Odyssey of the Mind program. Odyssey of the Mind is designed to be a fun, problem-solving competition program that teaches students teamwork, spontaneous thinking and creative skills while preparing them for real-world challenges.
Each Odyssey of the Mind team is made up of seven students and is supported by an adult coach who helps the team stay organized but does not influence their solution to the problem. Dr. Elijah Lefkowitz, director of operations for BGCLC, describes the program this way, “Odyssey of the Mind is a student-centered approach to learning and a positive experience for our members. It’s a great way for our kids to express their creativity, use their STEM skills and compete with youth across the state and possibly the world.”
This is the first year BGCLC has participated in Odyssey of the Mind. The BGCLC team is a young team, comprised of two middle school students and five elementary school students. They recently participated in a regional competition, held February 24, 2024, at Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School in Fort Myers, Florida. The team placed second in the middle school division and advanced to the state-level competition, which was held March 30, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
“I am very proud of our team for making the state tournament on our first year competing,” said Lefkowitz. “Our kids have a lot of value to add to these events and this experience showed them how special they are.”
Teams that advance from the state-level Odyssey of the Minds competitions will compete again at the World Finals at Iowa State University later this month. Although they did not advance this year, Lefkowitz would be delighted to see the BGCLC team go that far.
“My goal is to make our members the most prepared citizens in Lee County, United States, and in the world,” said Lefkowitz. “Working at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County is my dream job. I get to design programs that help our members expand their horizons beyond what they would without our involvement.”
The donation from Neal Communities allowed the BGCLC to purchase team T-shirts for the competition and will help cover the costs of travel to the state-level competition. “We are very thankful to Neal Communities for their impact on our club and helping us get to the state tournament,” said Lefkowitz. He worked with Ivory Matthews, Neal Communities’ vice president of community and governmental affairs, to secure the donation. “Ivory Matthews has a vision for good that can be done in the community. I was reluctant to ask for the money we needed to go to the state championships, but she saw my passion and the benefit for the kids. She is a rare person, and I’m grateful for her and Neal Communities.”
With a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 2, 2024) – The week of April 22 – 26, Neal Communities held its first Volunteer Week, during which 63 employees volunteered time with community organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The company has long supported philanthropy and employee volunteerism through corporate gifts and individual volunteering opportunities. The week-long coordinated event was an evolution of Neal Communities core belief that “Where You Live Matters” and commitment to giving back.
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week promotes and shows appreciation for volunteerism and volunteering. Many organizations host special events to celebrate volunteers, engage community members, and spread awareness about volunteer opportunities. A National Volunteer Week proclamation has been issued by the President of the Unites States each year since the holiday’s inception. In the U.S., National Volunteer week is organized by the Points of Light foundation.
Neal Communities’ employees volunteered for a variety of organizations, including The Haven, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, All Star Children’s Foundation, Sarasota County Parks, Satchel’s Last Resort, Meals on Wheels of Manatee County and Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. They received full pay for the day of volunteerism, and many of the organizations also received corporate donations from Neal Communities. The total donations totaled $15,000.
Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities, administers the company’s philanthropic efforts, called the “Plan for Giving.” She explained how Volunteer Week came about, saying, “Community involvement means a lot to me personally. I volunteer more than 10 hours a month in my personal time. It’s so enriching, and I wanted to bring that to the culture at Neal Communities, but I realized that many of our employees have a heart for volunteerism but struggle to find the time due to time constraints at work, commitments with family and the general busyness of everyday life.”
Volunteer Week gave Neal Communities’ employees the opportunity to volunteer during the workday. “The greatest thing is that people signed up to volunteer before they even realized they would be getting a paid day off to do it. We also had custom shirts and cups made for Volunteer Week to help build excitement,” Matthews said. “As an organization, we understand that it’s really important to give back, and that we bring others up by giving them the same opportunities we have. This is something we hope to do every year going forward.”
Neal Communities’ Human Resources team led the charge on organizing the week-long event. From managing employee sign-ups to ordering the personalized items given to the participants, their flawless execution resulted in a successful event for all.
Even with the up-front effort, the positive effect was evident. Katie Bondurant, payroll and benefits specialist at Neal Communities reflected, “Participating in Neal’s Volunteer week was a great opportunity to not only connect with my coworkers, it also reminded me that even small actions can make a big difference. It means a lot to me that Neal chooses to give back to our community.”
Sarah Downes, recruiting and development specialist also worked on the event and agreed, “Working alongside our team and participating in Volunteer Week was a fantastic experience. Positively impacting our community fills us with incredible fulfillment and well-being.”
That fulfillment will most certainly be the catalyst for future events, underscored by Bryanna Cote, human resources assistant, “Volunteering was such a rewarding experience. Seeing first-hand the impact on the community as well as the impact right within the organization has made me excited to come back next year.”
Tashara Carmichael, vice president of human resources summed up the experience, “I’m so proud of my team’s efforts. The initiative was so well-received and it sparked such inspiration for giving back to our community.”
Katie Alderman, Neal Communities’ community affairs coordinator, helped choose the organizations and set schedules with them for the volunteers. “We chose organizations that have a high need for volunteers and that covered a variety of interests in the community. The response and excitement from employees was so fun to see,” she said.
Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has given more than $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com
Photos top and left show Neal Communities employees at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Bradenton. Bottom left shows Neal Communities volunteers at The Haven in Sarasota.Neal Communities employees cleaning up with Sarasota County Parks.Neal Communities employees volunteering with Satchel’s Last Resort (left) and Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee County (right).
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (April 25, 2024) – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is in the process of fully renovating the semi-private Boca Royale Golf & Country Club. Improvements are also underway on the golf course itself. Neal Communities acquired the gated, 1,000-acre community in 2012 and is building new homes on the undeveloped lots in the community in addition to renovating and improving the amenities.
Much of the work is completed on the clubhouse update, including the front lobby, restrooms and Palm Court, a vaulted-ceiling reception room suitable for weddings, brunches and cocktail events. The 19th Hole has been expanded from a small corner bar that seated seven to a larger rectangular bar that now seats 26 and features televisions and a view of the golf course. The member’s room has been updated to a library-themed lounge, and the outdoor covered dining area has been enlarged to now accommodate 102.
Refreshments were served in the Palm Court reception hall at the grand reopening celebration at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club on March 12.
A grand reopening party was held in March to celebrate the completion of the renovations on the clubhouse. Several hundred members, residents and guests attended over the course of the evening and enjoyed refreshments and music played by a DJ in the outside dining area.
“The number of improvements being made here are impressive,” said Doug Foote, general manager of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club. “Mr. Neal is making an investment in the facility for the existing and new members, and we are very excited about it. Feedback so far has been very positive.”
Left to right: Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities; Dawn Galvin, senior designer/director of product development; and Thom Boyer, construction manager/community design.
Work is also underway on the golf course. Changes will be made to a few of the holes to improve the flow of the course. Those changes will be designed by architect Gordon G. Lewis, a master golf course architect who has designed more than 80 courses in Florida. The greens, irrigation system, tee boxes and fairways will all be replaced. The new grass will be Seashore paspalum, which is popular for use as a fine turf on golf courses and is well suited for salty conditions.
The 19th Hole is the renovated and expanded bar area at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club.
In addition, a new practice facility including a driving range and putting green is being added, and the golf and tennis Pro Shops and the cart barn are being rebuilt. A yoga studio and fitness class area is also being added. The golf course and other improvements are expected to reopen in November of this year.
“Many of our members are golfers and are looking forward to that,” said Foote. “And even those that don’t golf are really appreciating the improvements to the clubhouse and other facilities.”
For more information about Boca Royale, visit NealCommunities.com/new-homes/boca-royale-golf-country-club/. For more information about Neal Communities, visit NealCommunities.com.
Members and guests enjoyed music played by a DJ at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club’ s grand reopening celebration on March 12. The new outdoor covered dining area is part of full renovations being completed by Neal Communities.
Tide Marsh, a tranquil Fort Myers community by Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s largest private homebuilder, is more than halfway sold-out. Of the 63 homesites in this desirable neighborhood near the coast, 33 are already sold.
Located just a short drive from Fort Myers Beach, Tide Marsh offers well-appointed single-family homes in a private and peaceful setting nestled around a lake. Homes start in the mid-$400s and range from 1,531 to 3,014 square feet. If buyers act quickly, they can choose from eight floorplans that offer 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3.5 bathrooms, and 2- or 3-car garages.
“We have six homes that are currently move-in ready or close to it, and another ten in progress,” said Tim Oak, president of the Neal Communities South Region. “But they are selling quickly. We encourage anyone who would like to live in the beautiful area of Fort Myers to come visit the models at Tide Marsh.”
Tide Marsh is not just a residential community; it’s an invitation to connect with nature. Nestled close to the renowned Estero Bay Preserve State Park, residents can revel in exciting outdoor adventures while enjoying the convenience of proximity to various entertainment venues and restaurants.
“This small community has a very special feel to it,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “It combines the enviable lifestyle of coastal living with all the conveniences of being in town.”
Tide Marsh is in the Lee County School District, offering access to Three Oaks Elementary, Rayma C. Page Elementary, Three Oaks Middle, Lexington Middle and South Fort Myers High Schools.
This time of year, the Neal Communities headquarters in Lakewood Ranch and South Region office in Bonita Springs can look more like Santa’s workshop than the offices of the region’s premier private home builder. Piles of toys abound, donated by employees wanting to make the holidays special for children who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season.
In the Lakewood Ranch office, employees who chose to participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program selected an angel card from the tree and purchased gifts for that child. This year, 100 children will receive holiday gifts from the Neal teammates. Participating in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program has been an ongoing annual tradition for many years at Neal Communities, benefitting an estimated 1,100 children or more over the years.
“We really enjoy organizing the Salvation Army Angel Tree each year and seeing Neal Communities employees get excited about choosing cards from the tree,” said Tashara A. Cronshaw, vice president of human resources. “It’s so heartwarming to see the presents start to come in, and I just know that our team members are putting smiles on the faces of lots of local children this year!”
In the Neal Communities South Region office, employees from Fort Myers, Naples and the surrounding areas donated more than 100 toys to Toys for Tots. The toy drive is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve to distribute gifts to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. This year, 582 local children were registered. This is Neal Communities fourth year participating in Toys for Tots.
“This is a special time of year to give back to families and the community,” said Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing. “In total, we bought presents for more than 100 kids this year. It is a joy to see the Neal Communities family come together to spread joy and make things a little easier for some families that need help making holiday magic happen.”
Pat Neal, the founder and chairman of Neal Communities, has intentionally fostered a philanthropic culture at Neal Communities. The company has donated nearly $8 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida, supporting programs such as nonprofits, schools and other programs that help build strong communities. “What’s really exciting about the toy drives is that our employees do this themselves,” said Neal. “I’m so touched to see the generosity and culture of giving among our employees and the way they selflessly give to make the holidays happier for lots of boys and girls.”
Thousands of lights and hundreds of historic decorations make the Edison and Ford Winter Estates Annual Holiday Nights a beloved tradition for the Fort Myers local community and visitors to the area. More than 40,000 attendees are expected this year, and Neal Communities is proud to sponsor this 48th annual event.
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are the historic vacation homes of Thomas Edison, purchased in 1885 when he first visited the area, and Henry Ford, purchased next door in 1916. The Annual Holidays Nights festival is a beautiful and colorful celebration of the location and the holidays. This year’s event features new light displays, the opportunity to shop for unique holiday gifts, and visits with Santa. The Children’s Holiday Tree Trail features handmade ornaments created by students from local schools. On select nights, carolers will perform and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The festival is open 5:30 – 9 p.m. each evening through December 23, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas, then open again December 26 – 31. A variety of tickets are available for general admission, a nightly guided tour, a tour inside the houses, or combination tickets. The tour inside the historic homes displays decorations and gifts as they would have been in the early 20th century.
“The Holiday Nights event at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is an important tradition for the Fort Myers community,” said Pat Neal, the founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We enjoy supporting meaningful community events like this that are a special part of the holidays for many people.”
Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $7.75 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.
There are currently two Neal Communities neighborhoods under construction in Fort Myers. Tide Marsh is a small community of 63 homes just a short drive from Fort Myers beach. It is already more than halfway sold out, so anyone interested in living in the area is encouraged to visit the models and find their perfect home. Homes start in the mid $400s and range from around 1500 to 3000 square feet. Verandah is a gated, resort-style, golf-course community with breathtaking views of the Orange River. Homes here also start in the mid $400s and range from around 1800 to 3000 square feet.
Neal Communities hosted its 22nd My Favorite Home art contest on Tuesday, December 5 at Emma E. Booker Elementary. Judges from the local community had the tough job of picking winners from the submissions created by the talented students. This heartwarming event has become a tradition for Neal Communities, taking place at a local elementary school nearly every year since 1999.
Pat Neal (center), founder and chairman of Neal Communities, with Emma E. Booker Elementary School principal Cameron Parker (left), art teacher Melissa Shaw (right) and top winners from the “My Favorite Home” art contest.
To prepare for the contest, art teacher Melissa Shaw led students from kindergarten through fifth grade in creating artwork showing their vision of the ideal home. Each grade used a different technique and medium to create their unique homes. Kindergarteners used cardboard to stamp lines and added paint and texture to their homes. First graders used popsicle sticks and paint to explore the found object style of artist Beverly Buchanan. Second graders used clay on cardboard embellished with paint and markers to create gingerbread houses. Third graders created their favorite home paintings in a whimsical style based on Dr. Seuss’ book “The Lorax.” Four graders learned about artist Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project and enhanced their drawings using images from magazines and markers. Fifth graders studied architecture and aesthetics, then drew and painted their ideal beach house.
A small number of community representatives were invited to view the artwork and cast their votes for the winners. During the event, Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, spoke a few words to the assembled students and parents. The finalists were honored on stage with shiny red commemorative ribbons, then the top winner from each class was presented with a blue ribbon.
Pat Neal addresses parents, students and community leaders.
“Participating in the My Favorite Home art contest was an amazing opportunity for all of our students,” said Shaw. “What an incredible experience for them to be able to create something extraordinary then see their hard work recognized by so many important members of our community. I am so proud of my students and grateful to Neal Communities for this truly unforgettable experience!”
After announcing the winners, Neal presented a check for $1,500 to the school’s art department.
“We were so thankful to have our school chosen for this event, and we appreciate everyone who came and participated,” said Cameron Parker, principal of Emma E. Booker Elementary School. “The donation will go straight back into the art program to help students have more experiences in the arts. You can see how much it means to them.”
A student proudly points out their artwork.
Two final winners will be chosen to be featured on the Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes holiday cards.
“It is so joyful to see the ideas the students have for what makes their favorite home,” said Neal. “We enjoy coming to the school and seeing their artwork, and especially being able to help support Booker Elementary’s art programs and encourage creativity in these students.”
Judges and guests included Lisa Bechtold, executive director of Take Stock in Children; Aly Busse, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium; Dr. Michael P. Crosby, president & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium; Ron Cutsinger, Sarasota County Commissioner; Monica Donley, founder of Sisters Sowing Seeds; Roscelyn Guenter, director of program services at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties; Kurt Hoffman, Sarasota County Sheriff; Robyn Marinelli, Sarasota School Board member; Yolanda Mancha, VP of advancement at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties; Michael Moore, special advisor, office of the president, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium; Cameron Parker, principal of Emma T. Booker Elementary School; Dr. Kristen Ranges, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium; David Rathbun, Sarasota County Fire Chief; Karen Rose, Sarasota School Board member; Jag Rupnarain, president of SimplyDwell Homes; Dr. Rachel Shelley, principal of Booker High School; Mark Smith, Sarasota County Commissioner; Kelsey Whealy, media relation specialist for Sarasota School District; and Amy Yount, president and CEO of Step Up Suncoast.
Visit the photo gallery for a full collection of event images.
