The Lee County Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Faith in Action and Hand & Hearts Montessori Preschool - Press releases and special events
CCMI CEO wins the Apex
22Nov2009 Filed under: General Info Author: mcreative
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991121060
Sarah Owen, CEO of Community Cooperative Ministries Inc., won the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Apex Award, given yearly to one woman showing exceptional leadership and service in her occupation and in the community.
Fort Myers auto dealer and philanthropist Sam Galloway Jr. introduced Owen to the 200 attending Saturday’s semi-formal awards gala at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, south of Fort Myers.
Galloway called Owen “a breath of fresh air” and a leader who transformed the charity into a powerhouse with a volunteer corps of 1,200 and a staff of 25. The charity will serve 75,000 meals to needy people this year, in addition to other services.
“Walt Disney said all your dreams will come true if you have the courage to pursue them,” Galloway said. “This lady does.”
Called up as the winner, Owen said: “I am in shock and totally honored.”
Owen also said: “This moment marks things accomplished. It doesn’t begin to note the work yet to be done.”
Owen is an eight-year resident of Southwest Florida. Her community involvement includes serving on the Hunger Task Force, the Harry Chapin Food Bank board, Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation board and the Cape Coral Women’s Giving Alliance.
The Women In Business Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce organizes the awards program.
BB&T/Oswald Trippe and Co. is the award presenter.
Sponsors are The News-Press, BioDrain of Florida, Mark Loren Designs, Chico’s Charities, Ruth Messmer Florist, Interior Plantscapes and Residence Inn by Marriott.
About CCMI
Community Cooperative Ministries (CCMI) was incorporated in 1984, and has long been a driving force in the Fort Myers community, providing food to homeless and nearly homeless, as well as emergency groceries and affordable childcare to the working poor. In July of 2006 the agency expanded its mission and outreach to Lee County by merging with agencies that had historically provided home delivered meals to the homebound hungry (Meals on Wheels), and transportation services to the frail elderly (Faith In Action) and The Soup Kitchen. This merger created an agency that is able to provide comprehensive, unduplicated services to the homeless, nearly homeless, homebound, seniors and children more effectively, more efficiently and with greater compassion than at any other time in the former agencies histories.