FORT MYERS, FLA. — Family Initiative’s 6th Annual Autism Acceptance Awards Gala raised more than $475,000 Saturday night at The Luminary in Fort Myers, drawing hundreds of supporters for an evening that honored community champions and marked the nonprofit’s 10th anniversary of serving families affected by autism across Southwest Florida.
The sold-out gala featured four award presentations, a live and silent auction, and a direct-giving segment, with elected officials including Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Senator Jonathan Martin, Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Representative Yvette Benarroch, and Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson in attendance.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to all of you for giving of your time, talents, and treasure to support these incredible young people and their families,” said co-founder David Brown.
Emcee Lois Thome, returning for her sixth consecutive year, delivered one of the evening’s most powerful moments when she asked guests to pause and consider the reality facing autism families: an average of $60,000 a year in healthcare and related services, nearly five times the cost for families of children without a diagnosis. Thome then asked attendees to stand one group at a time- parents who had fought through waitlists for a diagnosis, those who had chosen between a bill and a therapy session, those who had driven more than an hour each way to reach a specialist- until the entire room was on its feet.
“This is why Family Initiative exists,” Thome told the crowd. “Not just to serve children with autism, but to wrap around the entire family, to ease the burden, to close the gap, and to make sure that love is never limited by what a family can afford.”
2026 Award Recipients
Champion Award — Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Marceno was honored for launching a first-of-its-kind partnership with Family Initiative that places licensed clinicians alongside deputies responding to calls involving individuals with autism. He also deployed Crisis Care K-9 teams, championed the Special Persons Registry, and advocated at the state level for the Autism Community Center and Thrive Academy expansion at Babcock Ranch.
Partner Award — Coach Garret Copeland, Fort Myers High School. Coach Copeland was recognized for his work ensuring students with autism feel welcome and included in school life. His collaboration with Family Initiative and the Lee County School District has opened doors for students who might otherwise have been left on the sidelines. The award was presented by board members Cliff Smith and Chad Woolf.
Dylan Award — Senator Jonathan Martin. Senator Martin was honored for his year-round advocacy on behalf of the autism community. Known affectionately by Family Initiative and Thrive Academy students as their “best friend,” Martin has shown up for families and kids consistently, championing autism acceptance and working to expand services across the region.
Rebecca Knight Believer Award — Rebecca Knight (posthumous). In the evening’s most emotional moment, the Believer Award was permanently renamed the Rebecca Knight Award in honor of a woman who helped shape Family Initiative from its earliest days. Knight volunteered at the organization’s first event and went on to provide financial guidance, secure sponsors, and support the team in countless ways. Co-founders Brown and Van Drie described her as “truly irreplaceable.” The award was accepted by her sisters, Jessica Van Hart and Libby Bergau.
A Decade of Impact
With autism now affecting 1 in 31 children nationally, Family Initiative has continued to expand its programs to meet growing demand. Over the past year, the organization served more than 2,700 families through sensory-friendly partnerships with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox during spring training, launched a hybrid Project SEARCH program, the first of its kind in Florida in partnership with Lee County Government, and broke ground on a new site at Babcock Ranch. Funds raised at Saturday’s gala will directly support continued expansion of services throughout the region.
About Family Initiative
Family Initiative is a Southwest Florida nonprofit providing comprehensive autism services including diagnostics, therapy, family support, community education, and workforce programs. Founded in 2015, the organization serves families regardless of ability to pay. For more information, visit www.fi-florida.org.
