Humanitarian of the Year: Readers pick Tony Lapi for honor
The vote is tallied, and Tony Lapi of Captiva has been chosen as Humanitarian of the Year in the annual Best of the Islands challenge hosted by Breeze Newspapers, which includes the Islander and the Island Reporter. Winners in several dozen categories are picked by readers. The Breeze hosted a luncheon for the Best Of on Sept. 23 at the Sanibel Community House.
Lapi, president and CEO of Rochester Resorts in Captiva, has a long history in Florida for his outreach work. Lapi’s work and giving were honored in 2012 by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners with its Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award.
Since the 1970s, Lapi has served dozens of committees and nonprofits, including chairmanship of the “Visit Florida” executive committee from June 2011 to June 2012.
Lapi’s resorts have donated thousands of dollars in hospitality giveaways and silent auctions. He donates personal funds to dozens of nonprofits and charities. Most of Tony’s gifts are given with little expectation of return recognition. It is simply part of his DNA, readers noted in their comments. He has also played a key role in the Lee County Tourist Development Council, the Florida Council of Tourism Leaders with “Visit Florida,” and he will soon lead an effort to fund and build for Habitat for Humanity in southwest Florida.
His business leadership has earned him the Horizon Council Award, Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, a Flagler Award and the Gordon Schopfer Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lapi is recognized as a community leader enthusiastically donating time and leadership to serving on boards of the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel Community Association, United Way of Lee County, the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, Florida Gulf Coast University Hospitality School and the Captiva Civic Association.
Lapi has been honored with dozens of awards and recognitions for his community service. He is known as a hard-working leader with a keen sense of humor and entrepreneurial spirit who gives generously to those in need. An outstanding role model and business leader, Tony is duly recognized by the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida as an outstanding Laureate for the 2011 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County.
Lapi has been chosen as the Best of Sanibel and Captiva in the “Humanitarian” Category. He was named by the visitors, workers, merchants and supporters who live, work and play in this wonderful island paradise.
“I would like to thank the community, family, friends and my company for this award, without their support I would not have been able to devote my time and resources to do the things that have helped our community as a whole,” Lapi said. “Certainly there are many individuals besides myself that are deserving of this recognition, for that I am humbled by your choice. As someone once said, ‘It is amazing how much we can accomplish when no one cares who receives the credit.’ There are lots of individuals and companies who without their help I would not be recognized for this distinction. Thank you again on behalf of all the great people we have in our community.”