(LEFT) Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast mentor pairing Hakeem, 16 (left), Tyon, 8 (middle) and Todd Reese, purchasing agent with Neal Communities (right) take a selfie during an afternoon together.
(RIGHT) Neal Communities team member Jeff Elmore and Casey Elmore enjoy the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast’s Spring Soiree on April 27, 2023 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.
LAKEWOOD RANCH (May 18, 2023) – For more than five years, Todd Reese has made a difference in the life of a teenager by going together to baseball games, playing miniature golf and other activities on weekends and in the evenings. As a mentor for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast program, Reese has found his own life enriched through the experience.
“I am the blessed one for sure,” said Reese, who is a purchasing agent with Neal Communities. “The ‘Bigs’ get way more out of this than the ‘Littles’ do. It fills my heart knowing that I am making an impact.”
As an employer, Neal Communities supports its staff in volunteer efforts throughout the communities it serves. Employees are encouraged to get involved with projects that they are passionate about. They also can ask the company to help support their efforts through sponsorships and donations. Reese asked Neal Communities to provide a $2,500 sponsorship for Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ annual Spring Soiree, which took place on April 27 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.
“The Big Brothers, Big Sisters program directly makes an impact in the lives of our youth and their overall success in life,” said Pat Neal, founder and president of Neal Communities. “I’m happy that we can support such an initiative.”
Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. During the company’s 50-year history, it has built more than 20,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples.
Working in a culture where he knew volunteerism was welcomed, Reese decided he wanted to continue to make an impact on youth after his own children moved out of the house and started their adult lives. Reese started volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. He met his first “Little” four years ago. Now at age 16, Hakeem is thriving in life and school. And while the two still meet together, Reese recently was assigned a second “Little,” 8-year-old Tyon.
As part of Neal Communities’ sponsorship, the company was permitted to send other employees to the evening event. The Spring Soiree included food, live music, a silent auction and a “mission moment,” in which the organization tells the story of its mission. Reese said two other Neal Communities employees were so moved that they are now starting the process to become “Bigs” through the program.
“The spirit at Neal Communities is about doing the right thing, all the way around, from the land, the wildlife and to being a compassionate member of the community,” Reese said.
With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.75 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build.
In addition to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast donation, Neal Communities also provided a $1,000 donation to the Police Athletic League of Manatee County.
The local Police Athletic League (PAL) offers athletics and recreational activities to help tighten the bond between police officers and children in the Manatee County community. PAL is based on the belief that children, if reached early enough, can develop a strong, positive attitude toward law enforcement.
PAL of Manatee County offers football, cheerleading, basketball, boxing and baseball programs.
For more information about the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, visit www.bbbssun.org. For more information about Police Athletic League of Manatee County, visit www.manateepal.org. For more information about Neal Communities, visit www.nealcommunities.com.
About Neal Communities
Neal Communities, based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private builder. During the company’s 50-year history, it has built more than 20,000 new homes in more than 90 acclaimed communities from Tampa to Naples. The company consistently ranks among the nation’s top 100 home builders and has earned numerous awards including the prestigious Builder of the Year from Professional Builder in 2015 and America’s Best Builder in 2012 from BUILDER Magazine. With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.75 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. Company sales in fiscal year 2022 were just over $600 million.
Additional Neal Communities brands include Neal Signature Homes, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding and Allegiant Title Professionals. For more information, visit NealCommunities.com.