Pat Neal

Neal Communities Donates $90,000 to the Rotary Clubs of Manatee County for Accessible Playground Project

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $90,000 donation to the accessible playground project at G.T. Bray Park. The project is a public-private partnership spearheaded by the six Rotary Clubs in Manatee County, in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources.

Neal Communities first learned of the accessible playground project after Mike Storey, President of Neal Communities, met Jennifer Griffith, whose son uses a wheelchair.

“The idea for an accessible playground came up when my mother wanted to take my son and his cousin to a park,” said Griffith. “However, there were no playgrounds in Manatee County that were wheelchair accessible and all-inclusive for my son and his cousin to play together.”

Griffith later met Storey and presented the idea for the accessible playgrounds with the Rotary Clubs of Manatee County. Neal Communities then donated $90,000 towards the construction of the first playground, to be built at G.T. Bray Park. Once funded and construction begins, the accessible playground will replace the existing play structure at G.T. Bray Park.

“We’re looking at building a total of three accessible, all-inclusive playgrounds in Manatee County,” said Tom Norton, Chairman of the Rotary playground project. “The parks will all be led by the Rotary Clubs of Manatee County and will be located at G.T. Bray Park, Tom Bennett Park and Buffalo Creek Park.”

Each playground requires an investment of $600,000 before construction can begin. The Rotary Clubs have raised nearly $200,000 so far to support construction at the first park. 

Sponsorships are available by equipment piece, which includes the opportunity to name the equipment. Neal Communities has sponsored the main play structure and a swing set.  

For more information or to make a donation to the playground project, visit https://www.rotaryplaygrounds.org/. 

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 nearly 50-year history, it has built over 14,000 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 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. Company sales in fiscal year 2018 were $464 million.

 

Additional Neal Communities brands include Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding and Allegiant Title Professionals. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Pat Neal

Neal Communities to Begin Taking Sales at Windward at Lakewood Ranch

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is pleased to announce that Windward at Lakewood Ranch will begin taking sales on July 14. 

This new 450-acre gated community, which will have 780 homes at completion, will feature a variety of popular architectural styles for home elevations from which buyers can choose. Options include British West Indies, Coastal, Island and Farmhouse designs, and all homes will be green certified. 

“We’ve had a lot of interest in Windward at Lakewood Ranch due to its desirable location and variety of housing types that appeal to many different buyers,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Lakewood Ranch is such a dynamic, growing area with excellent schools, great shopping and dining and close proximity to a variety of cultural and outdoor attractions. Windward at Lakewood Ranch will be an ideal place for both families and active retirees to call home.”

Opening in mid-2021, the community’s amenities will feature a British West Indies architectural style with Dutch Colonial touches. A 7.8-acre amenity center will include a 9,600-square-foot clubhouse with community gathering spaces, fitness center, adult and children’s pools, sports courts including eight pickleball and two tennis courts, sports fields, playgrounds, two dog parks and two event lawns.

A full-time lifestyle coordinator will plan and host events for the community’s residents throughout the year. Pedestrian and bike trails will also wind throughout Windward at Lakewood Ranch, creating extensive connectivity within the community and providing opportunities for outdoor exercise. Fitness stations will be mixed in along the trails.

Windward at Lakewood Ranch will offer 16 unique floorplans, seven of which will be on display as model homes in the community’s Phase 1. Floorplans will include paired villas and single-family homes. Paired villas range from 1,434 square feet to 1,524 square feet. Single-family homes start at 1,531 square feet and can be as large as 2,907 square feet. Pricing ranges from the low $200s to high $400s.

Windward at Lakewood Ranch is ideally located in Sarasota County along the southern gateway of Lakewood Ranch, just three-and-a-half miles east of I-75 at the corner of Lorraine and Fruitville Roads and adjacent to Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Communities. The community is close to A-rated schools in the area, as well as several private school options. 

For more information, visit www.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/windward/.

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 over 15,000 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 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. Company sales in fiscal year 2019 were $410 million.

 

Additional Neal Communities brands include Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding and Allegiant Title Professionals. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Pat Neal

Neal Communities begins construction at SkySail 

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has begun construction at SkySail, its new community located in eastern Collier County.

Planned for approximately 1,300 single-family homes and apartment homes, SkySail will offer pricing starting around $250,000. It will be the largest community built by the south division of Neal Communities to date and is expected to open in early 2022.

“Collier County is one of the most desirable places to live in and retire to in the United States,” said Tim Oak, President of Neal Communities, South Region. “The mix of amenities and gorgeous open space that will be offered at SkySail will make it an attractive community for families and active adults. We hope this exciting new project helps introduce even more Southwest Floridians to the attractive, high-quality homes and communities that Neal Communities builds.”

SkySail has been designed around a central lake, with more than 240 acres of lakes throughout the approximately 640-acre community in Naples. Many homesites will feature lake views.

The community’s lakeside amenity center will offer a range of options for all ages and interests. Residents will be able to work out at the fitness center featuring free weights, machines and spaces for group fitness or gather at the lakeside social club, which will include a game room for kids, serving kitchen and verandas for taking in the views. Other amenities include a family staycation pool, an adult pool with lap lanes, eight pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a playground, a dog park, event and game lawns and an events pavilion with dedicated restrooms. Walking and biking trails will wind throughout the community and feature workout stations designed by Avid Fitness.

For more information, 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 over 15,000 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 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. Company sales in fiscal year 2019 were $410 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, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

Pat Neal

Neal Communities makes $5,000 donation to support Boca CARES at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $5,000 donation to Boca CARES, a philanthropic organization made up of residents, friends and business partners of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club. This is Neal Communities’ first donation to the Boca CARES charitable fund.

Boca CARES was established in the fall of 2018 and supports nonprofits in the greater Englewood area, where Boca Royale is located. Funding priorities focus on organizations and initiatives that assist with the food, shelter, health care and social service needs of children, families, seniors and veterans. To date, Boca CARES has allocated almost $150,000 through four grant cycles.

The residents of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club have been extremely supportive of Boca CARES, which asks for a suggested donation of $200 per household. Organizations that the charitable fund has made grants to over the years include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Englewood Community Care Clinic, North Port Meals on Wheels and Senior Friendship Centers.

“We really have done a lot, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic hit,” said Denise Whitty, a seven-year resident of Boca Royale, a member of the board of Boca CARES and a sales associate for Neal Communities at Boca Royale. “Recently we’ve been helping with meals and the needs of so many children that are having a hard time right now. All the money stays local, and it’s just very rewarding to give back and help others in need.”

“It’s so great to see the residents of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club come together to support the local community in which they live,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “They’ve already made a big impact, and we’re happy to assist them in their continued efforts to help children, families, seniors and veterans in the greater Englewood area.”

For more information about Boca CARES, visit https://bocaroyalecares.com. 

For more information about Boca Royale Golf & Country Club, visit www.nealcommunities.com/new-homes/boca-royale-golf-country-club. 

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 over 17,000 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 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. 

 

Additional Neal Communities brands include Neal Signature Homes, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding and Allegiant Title Professionals. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

 

Pat Neal

Neal Communities makes $5,000 donation to support Sisters Sowing Seeds

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $5,000 donation to support Sisters Sowing Seeds, a nonprofit organization that empowers teen girls in the community.

The organization was founded in 2015 by Monica Donley, a senior accountant with Neal Communities. It offers mentoring programs and other services to help teen girls and young women succeed both in school and life and strengthen their self-esteem. 

The COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging for the nonprofit, which had to shift from in-person to online meetups. “I missed that personal touch, but we were still able to meet through Zoom,” said Donley.

Those Zoom sessions included events such as trivia games and virtual themed parties to help the girls de-stress from the difficulties of the last year, as well as a group session with a therapist who offered advice and assistance on navigating the pandemic and all the changes it brought. Tutoring sessions were available for students who needed extra help.

Donley also delivered frequent care packages to the 25 middle and high school students working with Sisters Sowing Seeds. They contained everything from personal items to useful supplies like journals to gift cards to help the girls and their families with necessities.

“It was important to keep doing what we do because of the time that I had spent cultivating relationships with these young ladies,” said Donley. “You don’t want to leave them when they’re in a difficult time; you want to make sure you’re able to stand by the words you have given them and the commitment you made to them to be a part of their lives. So of course I wanted to be a part of their lives when times got difficult. I didn’t want them to be out there by themselves.”

Over the past several years, she’s witnessed how the organization affects the girls it serves—and how important it is to be there for them. “These girls are changing and finding out who they’re becoming,” said Donley. “We get an opportunity to have an impact in that early stage of self-exploration. We can be there as a positive influence to let them know they are valuable. We can show them they’re capable of doing things they didn’t think they could.”

The $5,000 donation from Neal Communities will help Donley purchase supplies for upcoming Sisters Sowing Seeds efforts, which include a book club and a return to in-person community events. Neal Communities previously made a $1,000 donation to Sisters Sowing Seeds in 2019 and a $3,000 donation in 2020. Donley is truly grateful for the support she is getting from her employer for a cause so near to her heart.

“I think the community means a lot to my employer, and I think that’s important,” she said. “It feels good to work at a place that cares not only about your working for them and being able to achieve their goals, but that is also looking out for the community. They saw that this meant something to me, and they were willing to invest in it. And that means the world to me.”

“We’re honored to be able to both give back to the community and support one of our valued employees in her efforts to make a difference,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Monica is doing life-changing work through Sisters Sowing Seeds, and we’re happy to help support her efforts to empower the local girls and young women her organization serves.”

For more information about Sisters Sowing Seeds, visit www.sisterssowingseeds.org. 

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 over 17,000 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 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build

Additional Neal Communities brands include Neal Signature Homes, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding and Allegiant Title Professionals. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.