Be Like Mike

Help us celebrate and remember "Mangrove Mike" Forster by giving back to the community he loved.

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Feed the Keys 2024!

 

 

Download flyer here.

 

Feed the Keys 2024, held on Friday, May 17, was a success! 

Read our news release announcing the results here.

Download pictures here.

     

    2024 SPONSORS:

    Premier ($5,000 or more):

    Greeen House

     

    Advocate ($500 – $1,000 or more):

    CBT Construction & Development

     

    Supporter ($100 – $499):

    Maria Jones

    Suzanne Walters

     

    DONATE

    What is Be Like Mike?

     

    In honor of our cherished friend and former Board Member, “Mangrove Mike” Forster, United Way of Collier and the Keys established October 21, 2022, Mike’s would-be 62nd birthday, as the inaugural “Be Like Mike” Day in the Florida Keys. This tradition has endured, with each passing year witnessing the community’s heartfelt commitment to promoting goodwill and generosity through a week-long array of random acts of kindness, all in tribute to Mike’s enduring spirit.

    Feed the Keys

     

    One of Mike’s greatest goals was to help feed our community.

    In 2023 and 2024, a total of 14,309 pounds of food was collected across three sites:

     

    Burton Memorial Church (BMC) in Tavernier
    KAIR (Keys Area Interdenominational Resource) in Marathon
    Star of the Sea Foundation (SOS) in Key West

     

    When you give back to the community, make sure to spread the good on social media

    with #BeLikeMike and #FeedtheKeys.

    Other Ways to Pay it Forward

    scroll to read more

    Children/Schools

    Children/Schools

    -Be kind to Keys kids by volunteering to tutor a child. Sign up to mentor a child in foster care. Donate toys, diapers, baby wipes or formula.

    Organizations:

    Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition
    Grace Jones Community Center
    Florida Keys AHEC

    Law Enforcement/Veterans

    Law Enforcement/Veterans

    -Drop off some treats 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.

    Organizations:

    Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
    Veterans Affairs

    Four-Legged Friends

    Four-Legged Friends

    -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 animals at any shelter.

    Organizations:

    Florida Keys SPCA
    Upper Keys Humane Society

    Beach Clean Up

    Beach Clean Up

    -Organize a beach cleanup or simply take a walk and pick up trash along your route!

    -Volunteer with Reef Relief, who organized Be Like Mike Beach Clean Ups in 2023.

    -Contact the Conch Republic Marine Army to join on one of their Saturday clean-up trips in the Lower Keys.

    Be Like Mike-Feed the Keys

    2024 Press Release

    Read Now

    2024 Car Show Fundraiser

    $789 raised and 200 pounds of food donated! Check out page 22 of Keys Weekly at the link below.

    Read Now

    Be Like Mike-Feed the Keys

    Be Like Mike 2023 featured shoreline cleanups and the Feed the Keys food drive.

    Wrap up