by: Jillian Rameau
After growing up in Ohio, and finishing her college education, Wendy Kephart set out to Chicago with the intent to teach 5th grade students. At the time, jobs were scarce due to the draft detriments during the Vietnam War, however through a mutual friend, Wendy found work at Continental Bank (now Bank of America). Through this bank she received the opportunity to partake in classes that contribute to a master’s degree in business administration, allowing her to grow. Finally, after over thirty years of banking, Wendy and her husband chose to retire to Estero, FL, which they now call home.
Wendy enjoys being active by playing golf with mutual friends and neighbors, but was still looking to find a church, as well as ways to get involved by giving back to the community. It was through a golf partner that New Horizons of Southwest Florida was recommended to her.
She quickly immersed herself in the efforts of New Horizons and was chosen to be on the golf tournament committee, which she has served for 16 years. While brainstorming with a friend on how to get more involved, she created the snack program. This program reached out to the greater Southwest Florida community, asking them to donate any snacks for the youth at New Horizons if they were able. Thousands of snacks have been and are continuously being dropped off at the red bench in front of Wendy’s house, where donors know to look. These efforts have lasted for over ten years, providing nourishment for the children, and thousands of dollars saved for New Horizons. In addition to that, in May of 2016, Wendy traveled to Tallahassee to obtain an award on behalf of New Horizons. The ‘Champion of Service’ award was presented to Wendy by Rick Scott and Pam Bondi for the impactful efforts of herself and New Horizons of SWFL.
Every Monday afternoon, Wendy is delighted to attend her local New Horizons and give back. She takes all the snacks dropped off at her red bench and spends time tutoring 4th and 5th graders in subjects such as reading and math. Her main goals within the organization are to set a good example and be a good tutor. While she has been highly involved in administrative committees, her heart lies among the students, as she wants to continue tutoring as much as she can. In the future she hopes to get even more friends and neighbors involved in volunteering, through displaying the positive impact students have made in her life. Her ultimate goal is to support these students and encourage them to graduate from high school, so they are enabled to move on to successful careers.
