Babe Schwartz honored at Del Tura for outstanding community service
Local philanthropist Babe Schwartz is moving from the North Fort Myers Del Tura community, after many years of humanitarian service.
A tribute was paid to her for the more than $300,000 she had generated from and for the local community. North Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry Pye, Suncoast’s Susie Gillespie, Lee County Commissioner Brian Bigelow and the Rev. Israel Suarez, director of the Nations Association Charities, spoke at the event.
Known as a tireless worker who raised funds and supplies for cash donations, Christmas gifts and food divided by many charities, in one case alone she was able to help 2,600 families with food baskets at Thanksgiving, shopped for toys for local children at Christmas along with gifts for their parents. When an organization ran short, she managed to help them out too, officials said.
“There isn’t enough we can say to thank Babe for her many years of lots of hard work and love she has given. People had nice holidays because her,” said Molly Walker of the Del Tura Golf & Country Club, another giving individual in the community. “You can’t cover all that she has done.”
An organizer for the event was the community’s popular Walker, who had “Molly Walker Day” named after her earlier this year for her work in the community.
Schwartz and her husband Bob, an artist, were one of the first owners at Del Tura in 1985.
She has coordinated many drives and events like Trash & Treasures events at Del Tura to help fund these projects.
Her followers – the “Trashy Ladies” who worked on her Trash and Treasure Sales – all had nothing but great things to say about her.
John Ruttman of Del Tura started with the tributes, including presenting her with flowers.
“She’s the definition of community service,” said North Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry Pye. “Her contribution are outstanding.”
“We are really grateful for her, with her gifts and services from events,” said Suncoast’s Gillespie.
“She has done so much for so long to help our community, we wanted to see her off with a special honor,” said organizer Ron Raming. “The list goes on forever.”