North non-profit celebrates 25 years

Story by Chuck Ballaro

When Jimmy Roberts looked around one day and saw all the people in his community who could use a hand, instead of just offering thoughts and prayers, he took action.

Roberts started his own non-profit organization, Jimmy’s Friends Helping Friends to help those in North Fort Myers suffering from cancer pay their bills, make sure the poorer families could celebrate Christmas and give a hand up to anyone in need

That was in 1998 and. on Sunday, June 25, Jimmy’s Friends Helping Friends will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an event at Shores Bar & Grill, 12156 Palm Beach Blvd. in Fort Myers Shores.

“I didn’t realize how long we’ve been around until we started counting I don’t know how much longer I can go,” Roberts said “One day someone was in an accident and I started a turkey shoot and it grew from there to doing auctions, drawings and helping families ”

Roberts’ father started doing this when Jimmy was a kid, but at a much smaller level. They would buy bicycles and dolls for those in need for the holidays and drop them off on the doorstep on Christmas Day and run Jimmy’s Friends Helping Friends has been one of those charities that has flown largely under the radar, but has been very effective in providing services for those in need.

They have held big-money successful fundraisers such as a fishing rodeo and a turkey shoot, the latter of which raised more than $12,000 the last time it was held four years ago

Post-COVID, they have done events at the Posse

Arena and other locations in the never-ending quest to help their neighbors The organization offered help to many during the pandemic and recently after Ian.

“We’ve been able to take care of some with the limited money we had We’ve kept our eyes open and listened and helped in other ways we could,” Roberts said

Of course, this is a fundraiser, and Roberts is looking for volunteers to help round up donations, items, services and gift baskets for the auction. There will be barbecue dinners offered by Last Minute Catering, and there will also be a raffle with a pistol as the prize

“We’re going to keep doing this as long as the Good Lord lets me do it,” Roberts said “We’d love to have people come out and support us ”

For more information on Jimmy’s Friends Helping Friends, visit their Facebook page