Estero’s Copperleaf community donates money, food for Ian victims

Many families took a financial hit from Hurricane Ian, with home repairs and job losses leaving little in the budget for anything else. One community in Estero got together to contribute to the Harry Chapin Food Bank on behalf of WINK News’ March to a Million Meals fundraiser, taking a little pressure off of people who are struggling.

Ian hit close to home for people in Copperleaf, a golfing community within the Estero master-planned development known as The Brooks, so 200 neighbors put on their sneakers to raise money for March to a Million Meals and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

“We’re going to have employees here today that have lost their homes… that are actually going to come out here and walk for Harry Chapin,” said Copperleaf resident Bill Starr.

“I think just about everybody here really appreciates how fortunate we’ve all been and are truly concerned and want to help those who are struggling right now,” said Diane Silca.

“You know, we love Copperleaf; they do such a great job of supporting the food bank all the time,” said Richard Leber. “They make donations, and then they do an event like this. It’s just fabulous to see all the people from the neighborhood coming out.”

“‘Copperleaf cares’ is one of our mantras,” said David Dore Smith, Copperleaf’s general manager. “And we live up to that and give back as much as we can.”

Copperleaf neighbors stepped up to the plate to feed families in need in Southwest Florida, donating enough food to fill four bins weighing over a ton and handing over a check for $50,000, plus a surprise gift of another $5,000, bringing Copperleaf’s total to $55,000.

“I’ve never been in a community like this, where the caring and the outreach and the outpour of funds and resources and people resources is so strong,” said Terri Jenstad. “The people of Copperleaf… it’s a loving, caring community, and we come together for the needs and causes of all the people, not just in Copperleaf.”

How to help:

You can help WINK News raise $450,000 to put a million meals on the tables of hungry families in Southwest Florida.

You can donate by visiting our March to a Million Meals donation page.

More from March to a Million Meals:

• Why your dollar matters
• Food insecurity leads first-timer to a food bank
• Gladiolus Food Pantry reopens after Ian
• Inflation affecting food pantries in SWFL