Civic to hold Community Awards
For the past three years, the North Fort Myers Civic Association has recognized those who have made a difference in the community, past and present.
On Tuesday, March 21, the NFMCA will hold its third-annual Community Service Awards at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center at 2000 N. Recreation Way.
The NFMCA has named its finalists and winners for the Tom Cronin Award, Diamond Award, and the Ron Hoover Legends Award, which will be handed out at the event.
“We’re growing and trying to make it a little bit different every year. We have some great residents of our community to be present,” said Christy-Lee Iwanow, vice-president of the NFMCA. “This year, we have announced our winners in advance of the awards and we look forward to a great event.”
Iwanow said she hopes county leaders such as Sheriff Carmine Marceno and County Commissioner Brian Hamman will be in attendance.
The top three finalists and winners for the North Fort Myers Community Awards are:
For the Tom Cronin Award given to the North Fort Myers Person of the Year for 2022, the winner is Capt. Joseph More of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, North District.
Finalists include Wendell Williams, community leader, and George Sand, Navy Veteran, longest serving member of the NFMCA
For the Diamond Award given to a North Fort Myers female of distinction past and present, the winner is Deana Campbell, owner of Deana’s Country Kids.
Finalists are Lisa Snyder Johnson, of Grace for Chase, an area teacher and community leader, and Mary Wildman, owner of Miss Mary Daycare.
The winner of the Ron Hoover North Fort Myers Legends Award, given for someone who helped shape the community during the 20th Century, will be Bobbie Jo Dewey, who at North Fort Myers High School was the first woman athletic director in the history of Lee County and who also started girls sports there.
The Ron Hoover Award was named in his honor by unanimous vote last year, following his death in April 2022. Lindsey Hoover is expected to give the award to Dewey’s son, John, on his mother’s behalf.
Iwanow said Debra Ballard, who chairs the awards committee, said it was decided to name the winners before the event to be sure the winner would show up.
“We don’t normally announce the winners so early, but Debbie wanted to let everyone know who the winners are,” Iwanow said. “The nominees will all get certificates and we’re excited for it.”
The awards show comes on the heels of the first NFMCA meeting with new president Toni Hill presiding, which will be March 14.
Among the highlights is expected to be the announcement of the return of the “Eggs-travaganza” where the NFMCA will drop plastic Easter eggs on people’s property with prizes. The NFMCA will double the number of eggs to 2,000, as well as the amount of prizes, Iwanow said.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com