Civic association gives awards to area ’ s finest

fore the awards were handed out, which is what people wanted to see

by Chuck Ballaro

For the past three years, the North Fort Myers Civic Association has presented awards to those who have made a difference in the community through charitable work, working in the community or in other ways

On March 28 the NFMCA once again held its annual Community Service Awards ceremony, with dignitaries, friends, and a lot of law enforcement workers in attendance, making it the safest place to be that evening

NFMCA president Toni Hill spoke in her opening remarks about the virtues of recognizing someone’s great achievements

“Ask yourself why do we recognize? Because recognition is a powerful but often overlooked way to celebrate people and let them know they are appreciated and valued,” Hill said. “Think of it as a big hug or a dozen roses from the community. We can build a better world by recognizing the qualities we think are awesome ”

Lucia “Mama Lu” Bonsanto, last year ’s Tom Cronin Award winner, Honorary Mayor of North Fort Myers Reid McDaniel and County Commissioner Brian Hamman served as guest speakers be-

George Sand, who was also a finalist for the Tom Cronin Award, was given the Service Award Medal by Bob Hill for his service to the NFMCA, for which he is the longest serving member.

The Ron Hoover Legends Award, given to someone who served the community in the previous millennium, was awarded to Bobbie Jo Dewey, the first female athletic director in North Fort Myers High School history and for whom the school’s softball field is named

Lindsay Hoover spoke about her father, with an occasional tear in her eye, about how everyone had a story to tell about him.

“It amazes me how one person can impact so many lives, and all these great stories carry his legacy,” Hoover said “Which is something I can say about Bobbie Dewey with her stores and her legacy ”

John Dewey, her son, said he could talk about his mom for hours and she touched many people’s lives.

“I wish she could meet my kids, but it didn’t work out that way It is what it is Just like Lindsay, everywhere I go, they talk about my mom,” John said with emotion “She was my hero and a lot of people’s hero She was my mom, she was everyone’s mom who went to North High ”

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ABOVE: John Dewey accepts the Ron Hoover Legends Award on behalf of his late mother,