Inspiring People: The forces of philanthropy in Southwest Florida

The generosity of Southwest Florida is never more palpable than when season kicks off. Each gala and auction helps a child, parent, or grandparent in need.

For September, WINK News’ partners at Gulfshore Life Magazine honored some of the people who dedicate time and money in their “forces of philanthropy” issue: Denny Glass, on the board of three nonprofits; Dena Rae Hancock, CEO of the Golisano Children’s Museum; and John Quinn, president of Fountain 33.

The shoot for Gulfshore Life’s September issue is glamorous, but the men and women on display say they put in a lot of hard work year-round.

“I think the time that I spend in all four programs that I do… it’s all part of the feeling we have about giving back,” Glass said.

Glass balances his time on three nonprofit boards, runs a golf tournament and recently donated money to help build the Glass Hospital at Naples Zoo. He says life has blessed him, and he feels best passing it on.

Hancock enjoys that same feeling. Running the Golisano Children’s Museum and providing a space for children to play, even in a pandemic, meant everything to her.

“Children just always lighten your spirit, because you can just… you’re making a difference that just reaps benefits forever, really,” Hancock said.

For John Quinn and his wife, Amy, it was about recognizing a need and drawing on their own experiences.

“We noticed, when we moved here, there’s a significant lack of resources for adolescents,” Quinn said. “My wife, you know, had some mental health challenges when she was a young adolescent, young adult.”

That’s why they’re endowing a new position called the “social-emotional learning coordinator” at their children’s school

“It’s going to help children learn how to manage, regulate their emotions,” Quinn said. “How to interact with one another.”

For these three, and the ten others recognized, they hope someone else will enjoy that feeling of giving back just as much as they do.

You can read about the other philanthropists honored this year and in 2020 in September’s issue of Gulfshore Life.