Page 65 - Life In Naples Magazine - November 2015

Place model of working with the entire family, working to not only Naples’
assist the child but to also work with the parents.” oldest
& best
Gaynor also wants children and other Collier County residents to custom
understand and appreciate the history of Naples and Collier County. She picture
founded the Naples Backyard History program in 2007 to make this frame
possible. The project now includes a website, naplespanorama.org, that shop
people will want to visit again and again. The site includes live streaming
video of sunrises over Naples Bay and sunsets over the Gulf. What’s Now Located in Downtown Naples
more, the project is spreading the word about nonprofit organizations in
the community. The Naples Backyard History program also features a THE FRAME UP
collection of photographs and documents of local history through the CUSTOM FRAMING
Naples Online Virtual Museum (naplesvirtualmuseum.org). (239) 261-4413
550 10th Street North | Naples, Florida 34102
“I believe if people know their neighborhood’s history they will naplesframeup.com | naplesframeup@aol.com
become better connected to their community,” she says.

What will be Gaynor’s legacy in Collier County’s history?
Philanthropy is about more than accolades to her.

“It’s just the idea that you can make someone’s life better.”

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY

What: National Philanthropy Day
When: 5-7 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 12
Where: Hodges University, 2655 Northbrooke Drive,
Naples
Who: 2015 Honorees

• Outstanding Philanthropist: Lavern Norris Gaynor
• Outstanding Philanthropic Organization: Hideaway Beach Club
• Outstanding Philanthropic Youth: Alfredo Villalobos-Perez and John Scalli, Jr.

• Fundraising Executive of the Year: Elizabeth Morano
• Distinguished Volunteers

Information: To attend or for more details, contact the Association
of Fundraising Professionals Everglades Chapter at afpeverglades.
afpnet.org/ or Jeanne Bolds, Everglades Chapter administrator, at
afp.everglades@gmail.com.

Who: Lavern Norris Gaynor

Hometown: St. Charles, IL
Family: George Gaynor, a Texaco Oil Company executive, who died in 2003;

son, George N. Gaynor; daughter, DeeDee Spence; five grandchildren; and
four great grandchildren

Family Legacy: Lavern Gaynor learned about the importance of philan-
thropy from her parents. Her mother, Dellora Angell, was the heiress of the
founder of Texaco Oil Company. Her father, Lester Norris, helped to create
the national Victory Garden Program of WWII. Her family’s commitment to
community service extends from their roots in St. Charles to Collier County,

where Lavern Gaynor first visited in 1945. Lavern and George Gaynor
moved permanently to Naples in 1976. Her family’s contributions to Collier
County include: Naples Community Hospital, Palm Cottage, Lowdermilk Park,

Delnor Wiggins State Park, Naples Pier, Norris Center
Lavern Gaynor’s Legacy: “My hope is that people see that I was someone
who took the time to recognize a need, educate myself about it and then do

what I could to help.”
She has supported several organizations in her own right. Among them are:
Hodges University, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples Philharmonic
Center (today Artis-Naples),Youth Haven, Community Foundation of Collier
County, Naples Historical Society, Naples Backyard History, Greater Naples
YMCA, Champions for Learning, Grace Place for Children & Families, Harry

Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

Life in Naples | November 2015 65