Thank you Be Like Mike Sponsors!
Platinum Level: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office & Sheriff Rick Ramsay
Gold Level: County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, Key Largo Sunset Rotary, First State Bank, CBT Construction & Development, Inc.
Silver Level: Publix Supermarkets, State Representative Jim Mooney, Trich & Pete Worthington
Bronze Level: County Commissioner Holly Raschein, Maria Jones, Mindy McKenzie & Sue Harrison, Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele, Marriott Key West Beachside, Key West City Manager Patti McLauchlin
HELP US “PAY IT FORWARD”
The United Way of Collier and the Keys is thrilled to announce a new project that we are certain the entire community will embrace. In memory of our dear friend and former Board Member, “Mangrove Mike” Forster, we would like October 21, 2022, what would have been Mike’s 62nd birthday, to mark the first “Be Like Mike” Day in the Florida Keys. The community is invited to spend the week leading up to this birthday promoting goodwill and generosity through random acts of kindness then sharing those on social media and other channels as #BeLikeMike. This will all culminate in a Keys-wide community food drive and celebration in Mike’s memory on Friday, October 21st.
UWCK wants to honor Mike in ways that will be true to his spirit by feeding the community, helping kids and animals in need, and “paying it forward” whenever and wherever possible. We know you also loved Mike, and we would like to invite you to join us in what we hope will become a yearly celebration honoring his legacy by giving back in the community he loved. Each day of the week has a theme, and here are some suggestions you can use to pay it forward:
MEANINGFUL MONDAY: Be kind to Keys kids by volunteering to tutor a child in reading or math. Sign up to mentor a child in foster care. Donate toys to organizations collecting Christmas gifts to children in need. Donate diapers, baby wipes, or formula to an organization like Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition.
TAKE IT TO THE BAY TUESDAY: Organize a beach cleanup, or contact the Conch Republic Marine Army to join on one of their Saturday clean-up trips in the Lower Keys. Or, simply take a walk anywhere in the Keys and pick up trash along your route!
WAGGIN’ WEDNESDAY: Sign up to foster a rescue animal. Take a bag of food or cat litter to your local animal shelter. Volunteer to walk or play with lonely animals at any animal shelter.
THANKFUL THURSDAY: Drop off some cookies or cupcakes at your local police or fire station. Donate to an organization that supports military veterans. Stop by to thank the security officer at your child’s school.
FEED THE KEYS FRIDAY: Drop off non-perishable food at Burton Memorial Church in Tavernier, KAIR in Marathon, or S.O.S Foundation in Key West to continue Mike’s Legacy of feeding the Keys!
**Food Pantry wish lists: Pasta, 1 & 2 lb. bags of rice, canned chicken, canned soup, jelly/jam, crackers.
#BeLikeMike.
