Hometown Hero, deputy who aided homeless pair honored
The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce selected a local Realtor as its Hometown Hero, while a Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy was named Officer of the Month for her humane treatment of two homeless individuals.
They were recognized at the chamber’s luncheon on Oct. 25 at El Tarasco, at 1320 Business Way.
Fred Elliott was named the Hometown Hero. Jarret Glosson, of Modern Woodman of America, presented the award.
“If you have lived in Lehigh for any amount of time, you know Fred Elliott,” Glosson said. “He wears many hats. For example, he is past president of the Lehigh Rotary, past president of Lehigh Community Services, past president of the Lehigh Acres chamber of commerce and a current board member.
“He is also an instructor in the popular Micro-Enterprise program, helping entrepreneurs start their own businesses,” he added.
Elliott also supports other worthy causes in Lehigh.
When the Rotary Club prepares its annual holiday dinners to feed people in need, he is there bright and early making it happen.
Elliott also takes part in the Rotary’s annual Scream on the Green Haunted Walk.
“This very popular event collects cans of food and the food collected goes to Lehigh Community Services,”?Glosson said. “Blue & Brews is yet another Rotary project that Fred works on. He is very involved in the annual Relay for Life fundraiser, which benefits the American Cancer Society.
“What doesn’t Fred do is the question?” he asked.
A Lehigh resident, Elliott is a broker and the owner of Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties.
“He is just a darn nice guy, who likes to have fun and desires to serve his community doing his part in making Lehigh a better place to work and live,” Glosson said.
He added that Elliott is a father, grandfather and partner and a wonderful friend to have.
Glosson said Elliott has been called a wealth of information and mentor to many. He enjoys golf and is a pretty good bowler. Also a fisherman and boater, Elliott enjoys living the Florida lifestyle.
“Fred is a product of the Lee County school system and has our best interest at heart,”?Glosson said. “You can’t do better than Fred Elliott. He is definitely our Hometown Hero.”
Modern Woodmen of America sponsored the award.
Meanwhile, the chamber also recognized Deputy Emili Kilmer as the Officer of the Month.
Lt. Mark Shelley, from the LCSO’s?East District substation, said Kilmer was conducting an area check around the Walmart store on Lee Boulevard on Oct. 2. During the check, she located a white vehicle in the parking lot that had two individuals sleeping inside.
He said the two individuals were a woman and her daughter, 8. The woman told Kilmer that they were homeless and that when they could not find friends to stay with, they had to sleep in the vehicle.
“Deputy Kilmer’s selfless actions were made away from other deputies and without the hope of reward for her actions,” Shelley said. “Those of us who work with Deputy Kilmer are not surprised by the fact that she went the extra mile to help someone who was down on their luck.
“Deputy Kilmer hadn’t intended for anyone to become aware of her actions, but during some conversation, she said that she had given them some money,”?he said.
When pressed for additional information, Kilmer admitted that she had given the family money.
“Only when questioned again did she disclose the amount. She said that it wasn’t a big deal and that she hoped that it helped,” Shelley continued. “It is a pleasure to recognize her as Lehigh Acres’ Officer of the Month.”
Sgt. Dave Drum nominated her.
The speaker for the luncheon was Don Ruane, editor of the ALVA Inc. newsletter.
He spoke to the group about a proposed high school to be located in Alva, on the edge of Lehigh. He said Lehigh would benefit because it is in need of a new school.
ALVA Inc. it trying to convince the Lee County School Board to build the school at the proposed site, rather than at a site in Gateway.
Hometown Hero, deputy who aided homeless pair honored
The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce selected a local Realtor as its Hometown Hero, while a Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy was named Officer of the Month for her humane treatment of two homeless individuals.
They were recognized at the chamber’s luncheon on Oct. 25 at El Tarasco, at 1320 Business Way.
Fred Elliott was named the Hometown Hero. Jarret Glosson, of Modern Woodman of America, presented the award.
“If you have lived in Lehigh for any amount of time, you know Fred Elliott,” Glosson said. “He wears many hats. For example, he is past president of the Lehigh Rotary, past president of Lehigh Community Services, past president of the Lehigh Acres chamber of commerce and a current board member.
“He is also an instructor in the popular Micro-Enterprise program, helping entrepreneurs start their own businesses,” he added.
Elliott also supports other worthy causes in Lehigh.
When the Rotary Club prepares its annual holiday dinners to feed people in need, he is there bright and early making it happen.
Elliott also takes part in the Rotary’s annual Scream on the Green Haunted Walk.
“This very popular event collects cans of food and the food collected goes to Lehigh Community Services,”?Glosson said. “Blue & Brews is yet another Rotary project that Fred works on. He is very involved in the annual Relay for Life fundraiser, which benefits the American Cancer Society.
“What doesn’t Fred do is the question?” he asked.
A Lehigh resident, Elliott is a broker and the owner of Coldwell Banker Preferred Properties.
“He is just a darn nice guy, who likes to have fun and desires to serve his community doing his part in making Lehigh a better place to work and live,” Glosson said.
He added that Elliott is a father, grandfather and partner and a wonderful friend to have.
Glosson said Elliott has been called a wealth of information and mentor to many. He enjoys golf and is a pretty good bowler. Also a fisherman and boater, Elliott enjoys living the Florida lifestyle.
“Fred is a product of the Lee County school system and has our best interest at heart,”?Glosson said. “You can’t do better than Fred Elliott. He is definitely our Hometown Hero.”
Modern Woodmen of America sponsored the award.
Meanwhile, the chamber also recognized Deputy Emili Kilmer as the Officer of the Month.
Lt. Mark Shelley, from the LCSO’s?East District substation, said Kilmer was conducting an area check around the Walmart store on Lee Boulevard on Oct. 2. During the check, she located a white vehicle in the parking lot that had two individuals sleeping inside.
He said the two individuals were a woman and her daughter, 8. The woman told Kilmer that they were homeless and that when they could not find friends to stay with, they had to sleep in the vehicle.
“Deputy Kilmer’s selfless actions were made away from other deputies and without the hope of reward for her actions,” Shelley said. “Those of us who work with Deputy Kilmer are not surprised by the fact that she went the extra mile to help someone who was down on their luck.
“Deputy Kilmer hadn’t intended for anyone to become aware of her actions, but during some conversation, she said that she had given them some money,”?he said.
When pressed for additional information, Kilmer admitted that she had given the family money.
“Only when questioned again did she disclose the amount. She said that it wasn’t a big deal and that she hoped that it helped,” Shelley continued. “It is a pleasure to recognize her as Lehigh Acres’ Officer of the Month.”
Sgt. Dave Drum nominated her.
The speaker for the luncheon was Don Ruane, editor of the ALVA Inc. newsletter.
He spoke to the group about a proposed high school to be located in Alva, on the edge of Lehigh. He said Lehigh would benefit because it is in need of a new school.
ALVA Inc. it trying to convince the Lee County School Board to build the school at the proposed site, rather than at a site in Gateway.