LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla (February 3, 2025) – For the second year, Neal Communities recently donated $10,000 donation to the Defibrillate Manatee Foundation to help the foundation provide 40 defibrillators to the Palmetto Police Department. This donation follows last year’s assistance which helped to supply the Manatee County School District with 21 AEDs and the Bradenton Police Department with an additional 10 AEDs. Each defibrillator costs $1,699.
Neal Communities was inspired to become involved by the story of Ernie Withers who went into cardiac arrest at the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training complex in Bradenton and was saved by a Pirates doctor, who performed CPR and a trainer, who used an automated external defibrillator to resuscitate him. This experience moved Withers to create a nonprofit foundation, Defibrillate Manatee Foundation, that has donated AEDs to local businesses, schools and police.
“Providing defibrillators to local schools and law enforcement is a noble cause and Neal Communities is proud to play a part in that effort,” says Katie Alderman, Community Affairs Coordinator for Neal Communities. “Last year, our employees also took action, with approximately 75 members of our team undergoing training to learn how to perform CPR and learn how to operate an AED.”
FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 15, 2025) – For Graham Jones, the path to pursuing a degree in construction management began as a child in Russia, where he was mesmerized by construction sites and mimicked the sounds of machinery.
After moving to his adoptive home in Miami, Graham’s passion for building was fostered by his mother, who encouraged his creativity by allowing him to take on projects around the house. This early support helped him develop a love for both creating and leading. Now, as a student at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Graham is turning that passion into a career, pursuing a degree in construction management with the support of the Neal Communities Scholarship.
The Neal Communities Scholarship, established in 2022, is a $25,000 pledge over five years to support FGCU’s construction management program. For Graham, this funding has been transformational. “The scholarship has helped me advance my goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in construction management,” he says. “It covered the costs of textbooks, which are crucial for courses heavy in math and technical work.”
Graham discovered the scholarship through an email from FGCU and had the unique opportunity to meet Neal Communities team members at a presidential luncheon. “It was a wonderful experience,” he recalls. “I learned about their roles and responsibilities, and their commitment to helping students like me succeed.”
This scholarship exemplifies Neal Communities’ dedication to supporting students entering non-traditional fields, particularly those bridging the gap between high school and careers that combine technical expertise with leadership. Graham is a shining example of this mission, already demonstrating his aptitude for leadership and a clear vision for his future. Post-graduation, he plans to gain hands-on experience managing construction projects and ultimately establish his own company.
For Graham, the scholarship is about more than just financial aid—it’s about being part of a larger mission. He often reflects on the moment he first saw the Neal Communities logo, realizing he wasn’t alone in his journey. “It was more than just money,” he says. “It felt like someone truly believed in me and my dreams. That confidence is what keeps me pushing forward, even on the hardest days.” Moments like these remind Graham that success is a shared effort, built on the generosity and vision of those who see potential in others.
Reflecting on the impact of Neal Communities’ support, Graham says, “Their generosity has given me the opportunity to further my education. It’s an opportunity everyone should have, and one I hope to provide for others someday.”
By investing in students like Graham, Neal Communities isn’t just contributing to education—they’re building futures, one brick at a time. Their partnership with FGCU underscores the importance of encouraging diverse career paths and giving students the tools to succeed.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. January 24, 2025 – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is now offering pre-sales at Palm Grove, a community of 900 new homes, townhomes and paired villas being built in east Manatee County adjacent to Lake Manatee State Park. Nine decorated models opened today.
“We’re building a robust Lakewood Ranch community of homes that will showcase the natural beauty of the site and offer desirable amenities,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities.
Plans for the community include a centrally located amenity center with a social club, a fitness studio, a swimming pool, a lap pool, pickleball, dog parks and more.
The architectural styles of the homes will include British West Indies, farmhouse, coastal and French Colonial. There will be 19 total floorplans offered and nine decorated models available to tour, including five single family floorplans and two each townhome and villa floorplans. In all, there are 15 single family home designs available to build, ranging from 1,533 – 3,486 square feet, two villa options ranging from 1,638 – 1,848 square feet, and two townhouse options that are both 1,790 square feet. Home prices will start in the low $300s for townhomes, $399,990 for villas and $430,990 for single family homes.
“Palm Grove will offer a wide range of options for those looking to call the vibrant Lakewood Ranch area home. We’re already receiving a good amount of interest and have added VIP sign up option on our website for those looking to receive information directly to their inboxes as it becomes available” said Carlos Puente, vice president of sales and marketing at Neal Communities.
Palm Grove is located on the north side of State Road 64, west of Dam Road, and just east of Uihlein Road. The homes will be zones to attend Witt Elementary, Haile Middle and Parrish Community High Schools. Beginning in the Fall of 2025, Lake Manatee School, a new K-8 facility, will open just across SR64 from Palm Grove for students in the community.
Neal Communities was a Gold Level $5,000 Sponsor for the 2025 Manatee County Fair and employees of the company turned out to enjoy everything the fair had to offer. The 11-day Manatee County Fair is held each January at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto.
The event is presented by The Manatee River Fair Association, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation, which seeks to promote the agricultural and economic strengths of Manatee County and to highlight Manatee County’s rich heritage through the sponsorship of the annual Manatee County Fair and other events throughout the year. The Manatee County Fair provides a variety of competition premium award programs, educational exhibits, arts and crafts, entertainment, and organization displays in a family-friendly environment. The operation of the Manatee County Fairgrounds throughout the year will further support and enhance the Association’s promotion of local agriculture, commerce, and history by providing financial support for the annual Manatee County Fair.
As a $5,000 sponsor of the recent Palmetto Youth Center MLK Weekend Banquet, Neal Communities helped to provide 10 Summer Camp Scholarships as well as 10 Athletic Scholarships.
The banquet, held at the IMG Academy Golf Club, was part of a full weekend of entertainment as the Palmetto Youth Center embraced unity in the community.
The mission of the Palmetto Youth Center is to provide a safe and wholesome environment in the community where its members, young and old, can learn, achieve, and succeed in positive and productive ways: to target youth before they are introduced to drugs, crimes, and other unhealthy lifestyles and to establish a strong foundation of high morals and values through their programs.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (January 6, 2025) – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $25,000 to support community events and youth sports in November and December.
A donation of $5,000 supports the Cape Coral Junior Football Association, a non-profit youth football and cheer organization that has served the community for more than 50 years. The program is available for participants between the ages of 5 and 14 for football and 5 and 18 for cheer.
Neal Communities also provided a $5,000 sponsorship to Edison and Ford Estates Annual Holiday Nights in Fort Myers. Returning for the 49th year, Holiday Nights features new light displays with the homes being decorated much as they would have been during Edison’s time, down to the period gifts under the trees. A Children’s Holiday Tree Trail features handmade ornaments created by students from local schools and shopping in the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe for unique holiday gifts.
A donation of $5,000 will support Hoops on a Mission, a non-profit that exists to empower and inspire the youth in Southwest Florida to become world changers in the community. Founder Dwayne Jackson, and his Hoops on Mission family, provide mentorship, leadership, and resources to change Lee County’s statistics, one child at a time.
Neal Communities served as the exclusive food sponsor of Tampa Bay Partnership Rebuilding Tampa Bay Housing and Recovery Expo with a $5,000 donation. The recent event allowed residents to hear advice from expert panels, connect with real estate and local banking professionals about financial resources, and visit with representatives from local nonprofits to learn more about available support following this year’s storms.
The CA.P^S (Courage Ascension Perseverance, Strength) program is a community outreach program that focuses on engaging and improving the lives of youths and their families through its athletic program. Neal Communities will serve as a $5,000 Hall of Fame sponsor for CA.P^S, which is located in the Sarasota/Manatee area of Florida and serves community youth between the ages of 7-14 years.
Many of these donations came as a result of a Neal Communities employee who is actively involved in these organizations. By making a request through the company’s Plan for Giving, the company supports causes that are important to its staff along with quality of life initiatives and education.
“I continue to be amazed by the dedication of our employees to a wide variety of nonprofits and school- and community-focused organizations,” says Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities, who administers the company’s philanthropic efforts. “Neal Communities is proud to have an engaged workforce who help Neal Communities continue to play an active role in the communities where we live and build homes.
Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $8 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (December 11, 2024) – With a son who is a combat veteran and a love for dogs, Kris Watts says that her involvement with Dogs Inc is a natural fit. Through Neal Communities Plan for Giving, which has as part of its mission supporting causes that are important to its staff, Watts secured a $5,000 scholarship that will provide a service dog to a veteran with PTSD and other disabilities.
Dogs Inc trains service and guide dogs of the highest pedigree for veterans and people who are visually impaired, providing its premier dogs at no cost. Headquartered in Palmetto, Dogs Inc is the only organization in North America to provide guide and service dogs, online and in-person training, lifetime alumni support, premium dog food, and preventive veterinary care all at no cost for the life of the partnership.
An accounting manager at Neal Land and Neighborhoods, Watts previously worked at Neal Communities and the company elected to continue to support her cause, Watts says she became involved after her lab passed and instead of getting another dog, she chose to volunteer with the organization to get in her “dog time.” Additionally, she has a heart for veterans.
“My son is a combat Veteran who has worked incredibly hard to adapt to his new normal, dealing with PTSD/Traumatic Brain Injury,” she says. “I’m so proud of him. I don’t know a better way to say it except these guys carry the burden of war for all of us. I don’t know that many realize the cost. It’s a lifetime – not just a few years. Knowing many of these dogs go to provide relief and improve the lives of veterans – all at no cost to them – makes the time I spend at Dogs Inc all the richer. Really, I am so impressed with the whole mission of Dogs Inc and very proud to get to be a small part of their team.”
When a veteran is provided a service dog, they come to the Dogs Inc campus for two weeks where they are matched with a dog and receive education and instruction with their dog.
“The donation from Neal will support that education and training,” she adds. “The end result is the veteran has a highly-skilled dog who has, prior to being matched with a veteran, learned 15 – 20 advanced skills designed to assist with symptoms and situations related to post-traumatic stress. These dogs restore freedom and provide confidence and hope to someone who carries the burden of war for all of us.”
Watts secured the donation from Neal Communities through the company’s Plan for Giving, a philanthropic program that supports quality of life initiatives and education and has a large element of employee-led giving, where the company supports causes that are important to its staff
“I am so proud to work for a Neal entity,” Watts says. “Pat (Neal) encourages us to volunteer and give back, which is so wonderful coming from leadership. I fully believe the donation was made, at least in part, just because it means so much to me. It really makes me feel like a valued member of the Neal team. Pretty incredible. I see it all the time here – the Neal family supporting the work and passions of employees outside of their work here. It’s like a ripple effect. The employees win, the organization wins, and the greater community wins. How cool is that?”
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (December 19, 2024) – Neal Communities will showcase its complete renovation of the 18-hole golf course at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood, Fla. at a member’s grand opening event on December 23. The new course was designed by golf course architect Gordy Lewis.
Since April of last year, the course has been fully rebuilt as the old layout was demolished and a new course built from scratch. The new layout is a par 71 measuring just over 6,600 yards from the back tees. Construction was completed by Creekridge Construction Group.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the completely redesigned course at Boca Royale,” says Doug Foote, general manager of Boca Royale Golf and Country Club. “This community offers the perfect opportunity to live where you play for golfers and others interested in a country club lifestyle.”
A new 10,000 square foot short game practice area has been added, with a two-tier chipping and putting green and the driving range has doubled in size. In addition, all 18 holes now have cart paths, some paved with crushed coquina shells and tees were expanded to nearly five acres, offering golfers a wide variety of challenges no matter what tees they decide to play.
The greens complexes have been completely redesigned featuring small greens with subtle undulations, which have large collection areas and classic bunker design that is a throwback to the old days of golf course architecture.”
Approximately half of the bunkers were eliminated, with the new bunkers having been completely rebuilt and filled with white sand. New drainage has been installed in all the bunkers making them playable even after a Florida summer storm.
New irrigation and control systems have been installed for all tees and greens and the entire course was re-grassed with Seaside Paspalum Platinum grass, which is salt-tolerant and allow the use of Boca Royale’s well water to supplement irrigation needs. This surface is found at some of Florida’s and the Caribbean’s finest courses, known for its deep green color and dense canopy.
Golf members may now book tee times seven days in advance, with tee times before noon reserved for Golf Members only. Boca Royale Golf & Country Club is a semi-private club, located in Englewood just minutes from the beaches of Manasota Key, offering golf, tennis, pickle ball, fitness and wellness, dining and a wealth of organized social activities.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (December 20, 2024) – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $25,000 to support community events and youth sports in November and December.
A donation of $5,000 supports the Cape Coral Junior Football Association, a non-profit youth football and cheer organization that has served the community for more than 50 years. The program is available for participants between the ages of 5 and 14 for football and 5 and 18 for cheer.
Neal Communities supports Cape Coral Junior Football Association with a $5,000 donation.
Neal Communities also provided a $5,000 sponsorship to Edison and Ford Estates Annual Holiday Nights in Fort Myers. Returning for the 49th year, Holiday Nights features new light displays with the homes being decorated much as they would have been during Edison’s time, down to the period gifts under the trees. A Children’s Holiday Tree Trail features handmade ornaments created by students from local schools and shopping in the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe for unique holiday gifts.
A donation of $5,000 will support Hoops on a Mission, a non-profit that exists to empower and inspire the youth in Southwest Florida to become world changers in the community. Founder Dwayne Jackson, and his Hoops on Mission family, provide mentorship, leadership, and resources to change Lee County’s statistics, one child at a time.
Neal Communities served as the exclusive food sponsor of Tampa Bay Partnership Rebuilding Tampa Bay Housing and Recovery Expo with a $5,000 donation. The recent event allowed residents to hear advice from expert panels, connect with real estate and local banking professionals about financial resources, and visit with representatives from local nonprofits to learn more about available support following this year’s storms.
The CA.P^S (Courage Ascension Perseverance, Strength) program is a community outreach program that focuses on engaging and improving the lives of youths and their families through its athletic program. Neal Communities will serve as a $5,000 Hall of Fame sponsor for CA.P^S, which is located in the Sarasota/Manatee area of Florida and serves community youth between the ages of 7-14 years.
Many of these donations came as a result of a Neal Communities employee who is actively involved in these organizations. By making a request through the company’s Plan for Giving, the company supports causes that are important to its staff along with quality of life initiatives and education.
“I continue to be amazed by the dedication of our employees to a wide variety of nonprofits and school- and community-focused organizations,” says Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities, who administers the company’s philanthropic efforts. “Neal Communities is proud to have an engaged workforce who help Neal Communities continue to play an active role in the communities where we live and build homes.
Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $8 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – December 18, 2024 – Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, participated in Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, providing toys for children around the region.
The Angel Tree program provides items for local children who would otherwise go without holiday gifts this season. This year, the Neal Communities team donated enough items to supply 94 children with holiday gifts.
Each angel is split into wants and needs, with needs being clothing like shirts, pants and shoes and wants being toys like remote controlled cars, jewelry and games. In addition to the Angel Tree program, Neal Communities hosts an annual toy drive for staff, which brought in additional toys for local children.
“The Angel Tree program is one of the favorite projects for the Neal Communities team,” says Tashara Carmichael, vice president of human resources. “We are thrilled to contribute to the community in a meaningful way to kick off the holiday season and hope that our contributions bring a smile to the faces of many children across the region.”
