Page 64 - Life In Naples Magazine - November 2015

Outstanding
Philanthropist
Lavern Gaynor
L avern Norris Gaynor’s foray into live theater was inauspicious, but the venture
led to a much more meaningful path. With a 9-year-old’s vision of taking center
stage by playing different roles, the young Lavern, her sister and a friend penned
and produced a play that they believed would draw crowds. Unfortunately, Lavern’s
imagination was brighter than the production’s promise because, as she describes it, the
play was a “total failure.”
The audience wanted their money back, but Lavern somehow managed to make 20
cents from the piece. She was proud because it was the first money she earned on her
own, and she had thoughts of sharing it and buying penny candy.
Her parents, Dellora Angell and Lester Norris, who were great supporters of many
needs in their hometown of St. Charles, IL, asked their daughter what she intended to do
with the proceeds. As Lavern pondered the question, her mother took her to a children’s
home. It was the Great Depression, and the need was staggering.
“I really thought, ‘Isn’t it amazing what this money could do?’” Gaynor remembers.
The visit and her mother’s lesson in giving to those who need help ignited Gaynor’s
passion for philanthropy.
“It sort of came naturally after that,” she says.
Today at 91, Gaynor is one of Collier County’s most unassuming and beloved
benefactors. From conservation efforts, arts and local history appreciation to children
and education, Gaynor has made an indelible impact on Collier County. As a result of
her good works, she will be honored as Outstanding Philanthropist on Nov. 12 during
National Philanthropy Day by the Everglades Chapter of the Association of Fundraising
Professionals.
Gaynor’s strong belief in accessible and affordable preschool education prompted
her to invest in the expansion of the Greater Naples YMCA preschool program. She also
has volunteered her time by serving on the board of directors and by taking an interest in become more literate and has instilled in their
the children and families the YMCA serves. The organization is honoring her by naming
its new preschool the Gaynor Early Learning Center.
“At the Y, Mrs. Gaynor’s philanthropy is not about writing a check,” says Cari
Hansen, the YMCA’s marketing director. “She attends preschool graduations, tea parties,
birthday parties and plays. Every year, she chooses to spend her own birthday with the
kids at the YMCA. Many kids know her simply as the ‘the birthday lady’ or ‘Lal.’
“They are the products of her generosity, but to those kids, her money doesn’t matter,” says Barbara Evans, the organization’s chief
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Hansen says. “It’s her time, her stories and her
presence that they look forward to at each event.”
For 15 years, Gaynor has supported Champions
for Learning, Collier County’s education foundation,
by mentoring students and funding scholarships.
Susan McManus, Champions of Learning
president, says that Gaynor can empathize with
the needs of children like Laura Hernandez and
their parents. Her support of the foundation’s
Take Stock in Children program helped to
provide Hernandez with a scholarship and a
mentor during her progression from middle
school through high school.
Today, Hernandez is a 24 year old who plans to
graduate in December with an associate’s degree
in criminal justice. She wants to be a role model
for her sisters and to make her mother proud of
her accomplishments. Gaynor’s support is making
her dreams and ambitions possible. “There are no
words to thank her for what she’s done for me,”
Hernandez says. “She is amazing.”
At Grace Place for Children & Families,
Gaynor’s investment in the Golden Gate
organization has helped working-poor families
children the importance of learning. Her support
also funds Grace Place’s school readiness and
English-language programs. “She can relate
to the challenges of not understanding the
culture, experiencing language barriers and, of
course, trying to navigate the school systems,”
development officer. “She believes in the Grace
Life in Naples | November 2015