Donor launches 80th birthday fundraiser for Arol Buntzman of Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance
The Floridant/10223795

IMMOKALEE, Fla. - Floridant -- In honor of Arol Buntzman's 80^th birthday and his steadfast dedication to bringing affordable housing to Immokalee, a generous local donor has pledged to match donations of up to $25,000 to Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance.

The "80 for 80" campaign requests gifts of $80 or more to be doubled by an anonymous donor, making twice the impact in supporting farmworkers and other low-income families in need of affordable, safe housing in Immokalee.

Buntzman is the co-founder, board chair and president of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) created in 2018 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the damage done by Hurricane Irma to already substandard trailers and shacks rented by farmworker and other low-income families in Immokalee. The organization's vision is for these families to have access to secure, affordable, hurricane-resistant rental housing, which will strengthen the community by fostering health, education, dignity and financial stability.

Buntzman is a retired entrepreneur who founded and sold eight companies in fields ranging from real estate development and property management to higher education and educational technology. For his work in videoconferencing, Buntzman has been recognized as a Smithsonian Laureate. He has served as a chancellor of three colleges specializing in serving high school dropouts and immigrants, and has founded and worked with multiple charitable organizations.

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"There's no one with a greater heart for seeing this project to fruition than Arol Buntzman, and this generous donor is challenging everyone who believes in the value of hard work and the importance of safe, affordable housing to pledge your support in Arol's honor," said Alan Penick, Board Member, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance. "America was built by hardworking people, and these hardworking people need decent, affordable housing. Whether you donate $80, $160, $800, or any other amount, you will make a difference!"

Construction is currently underway at Lake Trafford Road and 19^th Street in Immokalee to build a community that will include 128 two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with a community center for meetings, after-school programs, health care assistance and more. Rent will be capped at no more than 30% of a family's income.

To learn more about the community or to make a donation, please visit ImmokaleeFairHousing.org (https://www.immokaleefairhousing.org/).