Category: Community

Neal Communities to Celebrate Palmera at Wellen Park Grand Opening July 25

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. July 16, 2025 – Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, will celebrate the grand opening of its sales center and two model homes at Palmera at Wellen Park by Neal Communities, scheduled for Friday, July 25 from 4-6 p.m. and a virtual event from noon – 1 p.m. for those who cannot attend in person. The in-person event will feature ice cream from Carousels for the first 100 guests.

RSVP is requested for both events at https://on.nealcommunities.com/palmera-go/.

Palmera at Wellen Park by Neal Communities will feature its Cruise Series of homes, including five floor plans of both one- and two-story homes, ranging from 1,533 – 2,956 square feet. The two decorated models onsite are the Liberty 4, with 1,533 square feet of living space, encompassing three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage, along with the Heritage 2 floor plan, featuring four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a two-car garage in a total of 2,429 square feet of living space.

In addition, homebuyers can build the Patriot, with three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage and a total of 1,682 square feet; the Dream 2, a three bedrooms, two baths, two-car garage home with 1,860 square feet and the two-story Vision, featuring 2,956 square feet and five bedrooms, four baths and a two-car garage.

“Neal Communities is pleased to be part of this exciting new neighborhood in the fast-growing and highly sought-after area of Wellen Park,” says Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Our Cruise Series offers something for homebuyers at every life stage in a setting that will stand out for its resort-style amenities.”

Palmera is Wellen Park’s newest neighborhood and features six builders, including Neal Communities. Palmera will offer a wide array of resort-style amenities for residents of every age and life stage, including a coastal-inspired Clubhouse with Grill Pub, resort pool with lap lanes, splash pad, playground, fireside seating, fitness center, pickleball courts, gathering lawn, nature trail, golf simulator and onsite dining.

July 16, 2025
Neal Communities Supports Take Stock in Children Through Scholarships, Mentorship

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (June 23, 2025) – Two local students will benefit from scholarships provided by Neal Communities through Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, but that’s not the only benefit gained for Tuline and Joel. Neal Communities donated $13,121 to Take Stock in Children of Manatee County to provide a tuition-based college/technical college scholarship to students in the Manatee County program.

Over the past several years, these students have been mentored by members of the Neal Communities team.

Pamela Curran, vice president of finance, and Steve Abraham, president of Neal Communities Funding, served as mentors to Tuline and Joel.

“I had the privilege of mentoring Tuline for two years and she is incredibly bright—definitely smarter than I was at 18,” says Curran. “Her ambition, focus, and maturity are remarkable. I have no doubt she’s going to make a meaningful impact in whatever path she chooses. She even inspired me to push myself further, both personally and professionally.”

For her part, Tuline says her experience has been overwhelmingly positive and crucial to providing the support necessary for a higher-level education. She is planning to use her scholarship to attend the University of South Florida.

“My aspiring career interests are in the field of Mechanical Engineering, with a concentration on prosthetics and mechatronics. Hopefully, I plan on working to innovate and create medical devices and prosthetics,” she says. “This scholarship is presented to me as a sign of resilience and motivation for future goals and aspirations. With this in mind, I would like to be a trailblazer, creating opportunities and inspiration for many others worldwide.”

Curran says that she has mentored three other Take Stock students over the years.

“I can honestly say that I’ve gained just as much from the program as the students have,” she adds. “These students have become like family to me. I’m forever grateful for their patience, wisdom, humility, humor, dedication, and inspiration. Each one has left a lasting impression on my life.”

The second student, Joel, is planning to use the scholarship for college to study accounting and believes that with other financial aid, he can be debt free after earning his degree.

“I took advantage of the mentoring program. My mentor, Mr. Abraham, and I often talked about a lot of things going on in my life, whether it be school or personal issues,” he says. “This scholarship helps me reach my goals of enjoying everything college offers. The financial support will also help me explore what I want to do for my future and the career path that I will take.”

Abraham has served as Joel’s mentor for three years, using a variety of communications vehicles to connect, including chat, video and in-person meetings.

“If someone can understand that learning is fun and rewarding, that you can develop skills to learn on your own, then the time you spend in school is probably more fruitful,” Abraham says. “If you leave school with a habit or desire to continue learning on your own, life will be infinitely better for you and the people around you. Having an adult to talk to without the emotional baggage that goes with a parent-child interaction is a chance for a young person to find out what it’s like to be their own person.”

Take Stock in Children’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a postsecondary education. The students, from middle to high school age, are matched with a volunteer mentor, provided college readiness services and a dedicated college success coach. Each student is awarded a college scholarship and provided with postsecondary support through degree or certification attainment.

In addition to Curran and Abraham, there are 13 additional Neal Communities employees volunteering as mentors with Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. Also, Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs at Neal Communities who has served as a mentor and former board member of Take Stock in Children of Manatee, is now a member of the Florida State Board of Take Stock in Children.

“Neal Communities is committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work and we’re proud and grateful to our mentors,” says Matthews. “We wish these mentees and all the students involved with Take Stock in Children of Manatee County success in whatever fields they pursue.”

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.

June 25, 2025
Neal Communities Accounting Manager Helps Company Make a Difference for PACE Center for Girls

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (May 13, 2025) – Back in the early 2000s, Neal Communities Accounting Manager Jennifer Villarreal became involved with the PACE Center for Girls thanks to two young women in her world who were attending PACE.

“Those women completed high school, and one went on to join the US Army serving in Iraq, while the other had a long career in childcare and is now happily pursuing her other career interests,” Villarreal says.

Today, Villarreal has stayed involved because of the organization’s commitment to helping girls and young women navigate tough decisions in their lives. She also coordinates all of Neal Communities’ support of the PACE Center for Girls Lucky Duck Race, which took place last month.

“I was able to witness first-hand the care and attention PACE provided to girls at a crucial time in their lives, when a handful of choices makes the difference between graduating high school and having opportunities or the alternative,” she says. “When these young women achieve their goals and become empowered, productive members of our community, their success has the power to resonate across generations.”

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.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with Neal Communities, says PACE Center for Girls Executive Director Amy Wick Mavis. “Their investment in the future of our PACE girls demonstrates their true commitment to Manatee County. And when Neal Communities is sharing about the Lucky Duck Race for Pace, they are not only advocating for the needs of our PACE girls, but they are also highlighting this valuable resource for our community.”

Neal Communities served as the Community Sponsor for the Lucky Duck Race, donating $10,000 to the effort. Villarreal says she encourages “anyone willing to listen” to support PACE each year through the adoption of ducks as the money spent on adoptions supports PACE Manatee and allows the community to enjoy a rubber duck race down the Manatee River.

“Aside from the financial support from Neal Communities, providing for PACE to host events like the PACE Duck Race; I like to think when girls attending PACE Manatee see support from companies with a large local presence, like Neal Communities, they know they are seen and supported in an incredible way beyond the halls of PACE Center for Girls,” Villarreal adds. “It’s great that I get to share the mission of PACE with people that had no idea they even existed – if they become aware of a girl struggling in school, I hope they remember there is a wonderful resource right here in Manatee County.”

May 13, 2025
Neal Communities Volunteer Week Celebrates Company’s Commitment to Philanthropy
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (April 2, 2025) – At least 79 employees of Neal Communities (new home builder in Southwest Florida) will participate in the company’s second annual Volunteer Week, celebrated during National Volunteer Week (April 21-25). The employees will volunteer with 10 different non-profit organizations throughout Southwest Florida.

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.

Among the volunteer organizations that will welcome Neal employees are:
- SMART (Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy), which provides equine-assisted therapeutic services to serve individuals in the Sarasota/Manatee community. Services are designed to benefit participants physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally through work with equines and trained volunteers. Neal volunteers will help prep horse stalls on April 21 from 8:30 – 11 a.m.
- Sarasota County Parks on April 22 from 10 a.m. – noon, where volunteers will assist in a litter cleanup at Ackerman Park, a dog-friendly park with an unpaved trail, playground and picnic pavilions located near I-75.
- Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, an animal shelter and adoption center, on April 25 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., where volunteers will make interactive dog treats and assist with animal activities, such as walking or yard play.
- Palma Sola Botanical Park on April 25 from 2 – 4:30 p.m., where volunteers will celebrate National Arbor Day by helping Palma Sola hand out free trees to members of the community.
Throughout the week, employees will also volunteer at: PACE Center for Girls, which partners with community agencies in Manatee County to provide girls with a multitude of resources to best meet their development and social service needs; the Haven, which provides support and programs for adults and children with disabilities to enhance quality of life; Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee County, Habitat for Humanity Pinellas, United Way Suncoast and Lee Weatherington Boys and Girls Club.

“Through partnerships with impactful local organizations, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to give back and create positive change,” says Tashara Carmichael, vice president of Human Resources for Neal Communities. “The level of engagement from our team demonstrates the compassion and character of our workforce; I couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to community service.”

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.
April 25, 2025
Neal Communities Sponsors Out-of-Door Academy’s Annual Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic for the Fifth Year

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has sponsored the Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic baseball game for the fifth consecutive year. The $5,000 sponsorship offsets the costs of hosting the game, allowing the proceeds from the game to go to support the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund, which covers a student’s four-year tuition at The Out-of-Door Academy’s Upper School.

The 2024 Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic took place on March 26 at the Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field at ODA. The ODA Varsity Baseball team played Mariner High School of Cape Coral. ODA won the game, 11-0.

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund was originally created in honor of Michael and Katie Emmons’ son, Taylor Emmons, a 2009 ODA graduate who played on the baseball team. Taylor was fatally hit by a car in December 2010. Following the tragedy, the family asked for donations in lieu of flowers and used the funds to start a scholarship program to help socio-economically diverse students experience the independent, college preparatory education at ODA’s Upper School.

Michael and Katie Emmons recently chose the 14th recipient of the scholarship, Maayan Tedeschi. Mayan was selected based on his dedication, academic prowess and embodiment of ODA’s core values of respect, integrity, service, excellence and responsibility.

Students at ODA’s Upper School learn in an environment that encourages them to achieve their highest academic goals and build character through a balanced program of academics. “We created this scholarship for students that cannot afford the school but really deserve a chance,” said Katie Emmons “Each year it is given to a rising 9th grader.

The Emmons gather past and present students each year around the holidays to catch up with them. “We really enjoy staying in touch with the kids,” said Katie.

Laura Murphy, director of admissions at ODA, said, “Thank you to Neal Communities for the donation to the Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic. This scholarship truly changes the lives of these kids. It is so special.”

Over the past five years, Neal Communities has donated a total of $25,000 to the fund. 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.

April 24, 2024
Neal Communities Pledges $500,000 to Hope Village of Manatee to Help Families Avoid Homelessness

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has pledged $500,000 to Hope Village of Manatee, a development of Help to Home, Inc. The 53-unit housing community will provide temporary housing for low-income families with minor children who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. The program also provides mentoring, monitoring and case management to help the families escape the threat of homelessness.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, April 15, to celebrate the start of construction at 1825 30th Avenue W. in Bradenton. At the ceremony, Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, was among the group that ceremoniously dug the first shovels of dirt. He also presented a check for $210,000 to Help to Home. In addition, Neal Communities is committing $10,000 per home sold at Tideline, a boutique Neal Signature Homes community underway near Palma Sola Bay in Bradenton. There are 29 homes in the community, which will bring the total donation to $500,000.

During the groundbreaking, April Childers, founder and vice president of Help to Home, said, “This event today represents a monumental day for our community. This is the future of Hope Village where families will have their lives forever changed. This is more than just dirt. This is more than just a development. This is more than just one non-profit’s program. This is businesses, non-profits, developers and citizens uniting together to change the lives of homeless children and their families and giving them the opportunity to become self-sustaining.”

Neal said “Help to Home is offering a real way for families faced with homelessness to achieve stability, and we’re pleased Neal Communities can help support these families by contributing to Hope Village.”

Help to Home was founded about 20 years ago by a coalition of churches that wanted to help homeless families. The program provides stable housing at below-market rent for up to two years, while requiring clients to participate in mentoring, monitoring and case management programs designed to help them improve their families’ lives and achieve stability.

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.

April 18, 2024
Neal Communities and SimplyDwell Homes Donate $1,500 as Sponsors for the Future Builders of America Leadership Summit

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, and SimplyDwell, a Neal company focused on building new homes for budget-conscious buyers, have each donated $750 as T-shirt sponsors for the upcoming Leadership Summit held by Future Builders of America.

Taking place April 18-21 this year, the four-day camp is held annually in Haines City, Florida. High school students from across the state of Florida come together to get hands-on training in building skills such as carpentry, HVAC, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, electrical, screen enclosures and more, as well as soft skills in topics like interview training, how to network, and professional behavior on a jobsite.

“Professional builders teach the classes,” said Cindy Hall, director of Future Builders of America, “and the students get real experience. We have 14 classes, and they do actual projects in each one. In the screen enclosures class this year, they will be screening in the back deck of the lodge. Last year, they caged the pool. This year, there will also be a class installing a solar PV system.”

Last year’s carpentry class built additional bunk beds so more students could come to the camp this year. “We’ll have 94 students this year,” said Hall. “The program has grown considerably since we hosted seven students at the first camp in 2004.”

Students also participate in competitions over the four-day Summit. This year, they will have a boat building and racing contest. “The student teams each receive two refrigerator boxes, two cans of spray glue, two rolls of duct tape, caulk and paint,” said Hall. “With those supplies, they will be tasked with designing and building a boat that can hold three of them to race on the lake.”

Camaraderie, teambuilding and collaboration are part of the Leadership Summit’s learning experience. “The students are going to have an amazing time,” said Hall. “And the volunteers have a blast, too.”

Future Builders of America is a program of The Home Builders Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to introducing construction career opportunities to secondary school students and other youth up to 25 years of age. The organization provides programs to develop leadership skills critical to the construction industry.

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 has also supported high school students interested in the building trades by sponsoring the Riverview High School Construction Academy in Sarasota and hosting field trips to Neal Communities’ construction sites and headquarters.

April 9, 2024
Neal Communities Donates $10,000 to Sponsor the 2024 Parrish Heritage Day Parade and Chili Cookoff

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, was a $10,000 sponsor of the 2024 Parrish Heritage Day Parade & Chili Cook Off Festival, which was held Saturday, March 9, at the Florida Railroad Museum.

The family friendly parade and festival are held annually by the Parrish Civic Association and The Parrish Foundation. The celebration and fundraiser support the Foundation’s efforts in the community for beautification and events, as well as a fund to build a community center. For a $10 ticket, attendees were able to taste chili from 24 competing teams, while enjoying live music, arts and crafts displays and activities for all ages.

The chili-cooking teams bring in all of their own supplies, cook everything from scratch on site, and serve their chili creation to the judges and attendees. The Neal Communities team, the “Neal Hot Chili Peppers,” came in Second Runner-up this year.

“I’m really competitive,” said Jennifer Joslin, a design gallery manager for both Neal Communities and Neal signature Homes. Her husband, Karl, serves as the head chef, and six other Neal employees rounded out the team. The first year the Neal team participated, they won First Runner-up. Last year, they won the People’s Choice award, which Joslin considers “the real winner.”

“This is my third year being involved, and we wanted to be the grand champions this year,” Joslin said. Although they didn’t take first place as hoped, the team still had fun. “This is a great event and a way to give back to the community. I think there were more than 5,000 people there, and they were all lined up at our booth. The people of Parrish just love it, and it’s for a good cause.”

Neal Communities has supported this event and The Parrish Foundation for many years, with past donations totaling more than $52,000. 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.

In Parrish, Neal Communities is currently building and selling homes in Canoe Creek and Wildleaf at North River Ranch. Silverleaf, also located in Parrish, has recently sold out.

April 1, 2024
Neal Communities Sponsors Tour de Parks Benefiting The Legacy Trail

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has again donated $1,500 as a Finish Line sponsor of the Tour de Parks bicycle ride, which was held Sunday, March 17. This is the second year Neal Communities has sponsored the event.

The Tour de Parks included 21-, 35- and 62-mile routes that offered participants of the ride the opportunity to experience 12 scenic parks. The shortest ride was entirely on the 18.2-mile Legacy Trail, while the longer two rides also incorporated side streets and neighborhoods from Venice to Sarasota. All rides started and finished at the historic Venice Train Depot near downtown Venice.

Proceeds from the event, which is presented by the Friends of The Legacy Trail and Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club, will be used to enhance the Legacy Trail and add amenities such as water fountains and additional extensions of the trail.

“Each spring, The Friends of The Legacy Trail holds a fundraising event to support and extend The Legacy Trail. Neal Communities has consistently supported our efforts to provide safe recreational venues,” said Louis W. Kosiba, president of the Friends of The Legacy Trail. “Neal’s support has had and will have a meaningful long-term impact for Sarasota County residents whether they cycle, run or walk.”

Tour de Parks participants received breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with more than 100 volunteers helping out along the routes. The first 650 registered also received specially designed T-shirts, and all the riders were delighted with perfect weather on the day of the event.

“The Legacy Trail has been a wonderful addition to our local community,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We are proud to support this event and hope that residents in and around Sarasota County have the chance to experience this unique amenity.”

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. Over the years, Neal Communities has championed academic, athletic, cultural, environmental and philanthropic programs that support the arts, community, non-profit and educational organizations.

March 29, 2024
Neal Communities Sponsors Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Party on the Pass

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, was a $2,000 table sponsor at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Party on the Pass. The event was held Saturday, March 16, at the aquarium on Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.

The casual night of food, fun and goodwill benefited Mote’s marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and release programs, which include the Standings Investigations Team. Nearly 300 guests enjoyed light bites at food stations from the area’s best restaurants, while enjoying the ambiance of the shark tanks and touch pools and music from a live band.

Neal Communities’ $2,000 table sponsorship allowed ten employees and friends to attend the event.

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. Over the years, Neal Communities has championed academic, athletic, cultural, environmental and philanthropic programs that support the arts, community, non-profit and educational organizations.

“We are proud to support Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and the wonderful work they do to rescue and rehabilitate marine wildlife,” said Ivory Matthews, vice president of community and governmental affairs for Neal Communities. “Mote is a cherished part of the local community and instrumental in protecting and preserving the marine environment and our natural resources that are so important to us as Floridians.”

March 28, 2024