Category: Giving Back

Neal Communities Sponsors Speakeasy Costume Mystery Gala Dinner Benefitting Take Stock in Children of Manatee County

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $1,500 to sponsor Pineapple Kitchen’s Speakeasy Costume Mystery Gala, held March 1 at the IMG Academy Gold Club in Bradenton. Proceeds from the night of glamour, mystery and comedy benefited Take Stock in Children of Manatee County’s programs, which include mentoring and college scholarships. Students spoke during the event, sharing their experiences in the Take Stock in Children of Manatee County programs.

“The evening was a great success, raising $95,000.00 for TSIC Manatee,” said Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. “We are so proud of our students, and with a graduation rate of 98%, we are mentoring our students for success in life. We are so grateful for the support of Neal Communities and the amazing mentors from the Neal team! Together we are making a better community and world.”

Take Stock in Children of Manatee County’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.

Christine McKelvey, director of marketing for Neal Communities, attended the event and also serves as a mentor for Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. “This was such a fun evening,” said McKelvey, “and hearing directly from students about the significant impact of Take Stock in Children Manatee on their lives was especially heartwarming.”

Neal Communities has been a community partner and supporter of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County since 2011. In total, Neal Communities has donated more than $30,000 to the organization. Last year, Neal Communities donated $10,600 to provide a tuition-based college/technical college scholarship. That scholarship was awarded to a student who had been mentored by a Neal Communities’ employee. Currently, eight Neal Communities employees serve as mentors for the program.

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.

March 14, 2024
Neal Communities Sponsors Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Farm to Fillet Luncheon at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $2,500 as a Sustainable Fish Farm Sponsor of the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Farm to Fillet luncheon. The event was held Sunday, February 11, at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park off Fruitville Road east of 1-75.

Nearly 400 guests attended the event, which included a sustainably-grown seafood lunch prepared by Chef Paul Mattison. The menu included Mote Marine Laboratory sun gold tomato bruschetta with pesto goat cheese, crostini and balsamic drizzle; Sun Shrimp gumbo with Joe Island clams and Cajun rice; blackened Pine Island red drum fish with Igor’s garden daikon slaw, Mote Marine Laboratory braised greens, roasted root vegetable puree and honey mustard vinaigrette; and apple frangipane tart with caramel anglaise.

The majority of the ingredients for the meal were harvested a mere 200 meters from where guests sat in open air for lunch. The red drum and sea vegetables were grown in Mote’s state-of-the-art, land-based sustainable saltwater aquaculture and aquaponics systems. The vegetables were also grown on the property through Mote’s Beginning Farmer Education Program in partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences.

After the meal, guests were treated to a tour of the working farm and marine research park that is normally closed to the public.

Neal Communities’ teammates attended Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Farm to Fillet luncheon held Sunday, February 11, at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park.

The Mote Aquaculture Research Park (MAP) was constructed in 2001 on two-hundred acres in eastern Sarasota County to pioneer the development of sustainable aquaculture technology to help feed the world, restock depleted species and address the need to develop a viable, domestic aquaculture industry in the U.S.

Today, MAP continues to advance this critical effort while hosting additional key components of Mote Marine Laboratory’s mission including the Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Facility, focusing on understanding and mitigating the devastating effects of red tide, and the International Coral Gene Bank, which houses more coral genotypes than any other facility in the world.

“With partners like Neal Communities, we can ensure global access to healthy and sustainable seafood for generations to come,” said Dr. Nicole Rhody, marine and freshwater aquaculture program manager and senior scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory.

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.

“At Neal Communities, our focus is on building communities people enjoy living in and will enjoy for years to come. Protecting and preserving our natural resources and the unique elements that make Florida special are an important part of that,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium enriches our community and plays an instrumental role in marine research and conservation efforts. We are proud to sponsor and support their efforts.”

February 26, 2024
Neal Communities Sponsored Boca Royale Women’s Association Breast Cancer Tournament Benefitting the Florida Cancer Specialist Foundation

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, donated $500 to sponsor the Boca Royale Women’s Association Breast Cancer Golf Tournament. The tournament was played at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club on January 27, 2024, and raised approximately $45,000 for the Florida Cancer Specialist Foundation.

The Breast Cancer Tournament is one of two charity golf tournaments that the Women’s Golf Association organizes. The second is the Christmas Tournament where all of the proceeds are donated to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their Shop with a Cop program.

The Breast Cancer Tournament started with a Kick-off Party on Friday night with silent and live auctions. On the day of the tournament, there were a variety of different games and refreshments set up along the course, including a “you hit it, you win it” putting contest, a Bloody Mary bar with all the toppings, and chance to win a new Ford Escape if you Hit a Hole in One. Most of the participants dressed in pink.

“We love to see members of the community come together to have fun and raise funds for important causes,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We are happy to be a sponsor of this event and contribute to the fundraising for Florida Cancer Specialist Foundation.”

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.

February 15, 2024
Neal Communities Donates $5,000 to Bayshore High School as a Stadium Scoreboard Sponsor

In an agreement that pledges $1,000 each year for five years, Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $5,000 as a football stadium scoreboard sponsor for Bayshore High School in Bradenton, Florida, home of the Mighty Bruins.

“Involvement in extracurricular activities is a vital part of the education experience for students,” said Chris Brady, athletics and activities administrator at Bayshore High School. “With limited funding for education in general, it is vital to have support from places like Neal Communities to be able to provide these extracurricular opportunities for our students.”

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.

“We believe that strong communities start with organizations that make a difference in the lives of our youth,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Because of this, we are happy to support Bayshore High School, and in turn, their students and athletes, over the next five years.”

February 5, 2024
Neal Communities Donates $25,000 to Healthy Teens to Create Scholarship Program

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $25,000 to Healthy Teens, an organization dedicated to the success and wellbeing of Florida teens in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Healthy Teens’ mission is to empower youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing, providing peer-based health and life skills education and mentoring to hundreds of local youth between the ages of 11 and 25 each year. The donation from Neal Communities will support this work by funding further education scholarships and local programming.

“Since I joined Healthy Teens in 2021, Neal Communities has been a hugely generous partner in empowering the health and wellbeing of our youth,” said Jonathan Evans, executive director of Healthy Teens. “Helping them create positive, healthy and successful futures for themselves is a shared passion between our organizations.”

This donation is an increase from the $10,000 donations Neal Communities made to Healthy Teens in 2023 and 2022. The $25,000 sponsorship will partly be used to create a scholarship contest for high-school seniors currently volunteering with Healthy Teens as Teen Health Educators. Healthy Teens plans to start the program quickly, with an application process beginning in February 2024. The applications will be judged by a panel comprised of representatives from the Healthy Teens Board of Directors, the Healthy Teens volunteer Advisory Council and Neal Communities. The scholarships will be awarded at the Youth Health Awards on May 8, 2024, Healthy Teens’ flagship event. Neal Communities will be the presenting sponsor for the event.

In addition to the scholarship program, Healthy Teens students will visit the Neal Communities headquarters in Lakewood Ranch to provide a “lunch and learn” educational program for Neal Communities employees, where the students will present on a topic that they also educate their peers on.

“Healthy Teens is an excellent organization that is helping young people succeed in life, and we are excited to support them in that,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “These students are learning about business, relationships and helping others, and those lessons will serve them well into their futures.”

Founded in 2010, Healthy Teens has helped more than 175 Teen Health Educators receive leadership and public-speaking experience, provided peer education sessions for more than 10,000 teens, and worked with more than 60 organizations and agencies to help teens learn about topics such as mental health and resilience, substance abuse, peer pressure, bullying and much more.

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.

February 1, 2024
Neal Communities Supports Manasota BUDS Young Adults with $6,000 Sponsorship

Building strong communities is at the heart of both Neal Communities and Manasota BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome), and that shared passion has led to a new partnership. Manasota BUDS is proud to announce a $6,000 sponsorship from Neal Communities for the Manasota BUDS Young Adult Group in 2024, providing crucial support for social activities and awareness initiatives for this vibrant community of young adults with Down syndrome.

“At Neal Communities, we believe in fostering connections and creating places where everyone feels welcome and supported,” said Katie Rhyne, community affairs coordinator. “Manasota BUDS shares our commitment to building community, and we are thrilled to partner with them to empower and enrich the lives of young adults with Down syndrome.”

The sponsorship will fuel a year of engaging social events and awareness campaigns for the Manasota BUDS Young Adult Group, a dedicated time for individuals aged 18 and over to connect, socialize and thrive. The fun kicks off in February with a cookie decorating party, where participants can unleash their creativity with houses and hearts as the theme – a playful nod to both organizations’ dedication to building strong communities.

March will see the group celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month with a special event recognizing the global significance of 3.21 – Trisomy 21 or World Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

Throughout the year, the sponsorship will enable the Young Adult Group to host additional social gatherings, educational workshops and community outreach initiatives, fostering inclusion and understanding for individuals with Down syndrome.

“This generous sponsorship from Neal Communities is a true game-changer for our Young Adult Group,” expressed Stacy Quaid, Manasota BUDS volunteer. “It will allow us to create even more meaningful opportunities for our members to connect, grow and advocate for themselves. We are incredibly grateful for Neal Communities’ partnership and their commitment to building a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.”

With Neal Communities’ backing, Manasota BUDS can continue to build bridges, break down barriers and empower individuals with Down syndrome to live their fullest lives. Together, these two community-minded organizations are proving that when people come together, anything is possible.

January 31, 2024
Neal Communities Donates $10,000 to Sisters Sowing Seeds, Inc., Benefitting Teen Girls

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $10,000 to support Sisters Sowing Seeds, Inc., a nonprofit organization that mentors and empowers teen girls and women in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Neal Communities has supported the nonprofit organization since 2019, with donations now totaling $28,500. This is the largest donation made to date.

Sisters Sowing Seeds was founded in 2015 by Monica Donley, when she was a senior accountant with Neal Communities. Sisters Sowing Seeds hosts tutoring and mentoring programs designed to strengthen the self-esteem of teen girls and young women and help them succeed in school and life. The organization offers community and in-school programs, including a mentoring program and six-week classes on various topics.

Programs are currently being held in Braden River Middle School, Booker Middle School and Lee Middle School. The girls meet with Sisters Sowing Seeds volunteers on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Activities include tutoring, speakers, team building – such as escape rooms – and cooking competitions.

The Sisters Sowing Seeds cook-off competition provided a fun way for participants to learn cooking skills.

Sisters Sowing Seeds quarterly outings and events encourage and reward the program’s participants for achieving goals, taking on new challenges and being consistent.

“We thank Pat Neal and Neal Communities for continuing to contribute funds and constant support to make sure that Sisters Sowing Seeds, Inc., is able to make a major impact in our community,” said Donley. “We are so grateful for this donation, as it will allow us to increase our participants.”

The $10,000 donation from Neal Communities will be used to purchase curriculum and fund Sisters Sowing Seeds’ community meetings and quarterly outings.
“Sisters Sowing Seeds is empowering young women and launching them toward success,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We are proud that Monica is continuing her impactful work, and we’re happy to support her and this wonderful organization.”

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 that Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

January 30, 2024
Neal Communities Donates $5,000 to Sponsor Manatee County Fair

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $5,000 as a Gold Sponsor of The Manatee County Fair. The fair opened January 11 and will be open each day until January 21 at 1402 14th Avenue West in Palmetto.

Neal Communities has been a long-time sponsor of this family-friendly event, with donations going back at least 12 years. In addition to the Neal Communities’ sponsorship, Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, is also personally purchasing a steer in support of the Manatee River Fair Association. This is something that he has done for many years, and typically, he donates them to a local church.

“We believe that where you live matters, and strong communities are important. Having activities like the Manatee County Fair that families can attend together helps build that sense of community, and it’s just good fun,” said Neal, who has fond memories of attending the fair with his family while growing up in Iowa.

The fair offers a full schedule of main stage and daily entertainment, livestock events, exhibitions, rides, games, booths and refreshments. From wrestling to pig races to the petting zoo, there are activities for everyone.

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.

January 17, 2024
Neal Communities Supports Local Charities with a $10,000 Donation to Boca Cares

Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has donated $10,000 to Boca Cares, a charitable fund that makes a positive impact within the Boca Royale community and beyond.

Boca Cares was established in 2018 to help support 501(c)(3) charities in the greater Englewood area. Through its philanthropic efforts, Boca Cares strives to foster a sense of unity and shared commitment by making a meaningful difference to those in need. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $265,000 to various charitable organizations, such as CenterPlace Health, Inc.; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast; Englewood Meals on Wheels; The Salvation Army of Sarasota County; Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.; the Tidewell Foundation, The Literacy Center for Dyslexia, Inc., and more.

Neal Communities, the builder of the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club community in Englewood and several communities within Wellen Park including Avelina, Wysteria, Grand Palm and EVERLY by Neal Signature Homes, 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.

Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, encourages employees to get involved in organizations and community events that matter to them, and he supports that involvement through charitable giving.

“We are delighted to once again support Boca Cares and their compassionate, community-focused mission,” said Neal. “This is a wonderful organization that is helping others in their local area, and that makes a stronger community and a nicer place to live for everyone.”

Jim Epifano, a Boca Cares board member, expressed his gratitude for the donation from Neal Communities and highlighted the positive impact it will have. “Neal Communities continues to expand its footprint with Boca Royale and Wellen Park, and we are pleased that they recognize the need to help the local community,” said Epifano. “Their commitment to supporting Boca Cares demonstrated a shared vision for creating a better and vibrant community for all.”

January 4, 2024
Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes Employees Paint Playhouses for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County’s Cottages for Kids Program

Employees from Southwest Florida’s premier private homebuilder, Neal Communities, and the luxury home division, Neal Signature Homes, volunteered their time to paint playhouses that will be given to families with young children. The cottages were purchased, constructed, painted and donated by the Neal companies for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County’s Cottages for Kids program.

The newly constructed playhouses were painted in light, cheerful colors and decorated with holiday wreaths and poinsettias. They were on display in Downtown Wellen December 6-10 as part of the Light Up Wellen – Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration before being delivered to the selected families.

Downtown Wellen is a pedestrian-friendly shopping, dining and gathering spot with entertainment options including parks, playgrounds and an outdoor stage and event lawn.

Neal Signature Homes has two model homes under construction in EVERLY at Wellen Park. These models represent eight available floor plans for the community and will showcase fresh concepts in Florida living. With more than 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned living space in each, the two model homes will feature multiple en suite bedrooms, expansive living spaces and enhanced outdoor living. One model will include an optional casita, showing how this flexible additional space can be used for multi-general family living, a live-in nanny or to accommodate guests. Both models will be professionally decorated, reflecting modern lifestyles and options for working from home and multigeneration living. Both models are expected to be completed by the end of March 2024, but homesites are available for purchase now.

“We very much look forward to having our model homes at EVERLY open in the Spring,” said Carlos Puente, president of Neal Signature Homes. “So, since we are so impatiently waiting for said models, we figured we would calm our nerves through painting and donating these lovely playhouses for the Cottages for Kids program. We really enjoy bringing homes to life, whether they are our beautiful Signature ones, or these fun ones that will bring enjoyment to some great children.”

Neal Communities also has homes available in two communities within the Downtown/Playmore District of Wellen Park, offering easy access to CoolToday Park, home to the Atlanta Braves’ spring training, and shopping and entertainment venues. Avelina is a private, gated boutique community offering just 96 homes and five stunning floorplans ranging from 2,327-2,762 square feet. Homes offer 3-4 bedrooms and 3 car garages with British West Indies and Coastal architectural styles. Wysteria is a larger neighborhood offering 2-3 bedroom floorplans ranging from 1,422-1,860 square feet with 2 car garages. Amenities at Wysteria include a resort-style pool and pickleball courts.

December 27, 2023