The Rotary Club of Englewood just named the newest winners of the Ann Dever Children’s Advocacy Award. They made the announcement at Ann and Chuck Dever Regional Park, the spot that bears her name.
Brian Faro took home the award thanks to his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And the committee honored Dawn and Donnie Stephens for their achievements through their nonprofit, Spread Spencer’s Sparkle.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is the local branch here in Southwest Florida. It’s been around since 1968 and now ranks as the 10th largest agency in the country. They just picked up the 2025 Growth Award from the national organization, which says a lot about their momentum. The group matches kids facing adversity (“Littles,” ages 6 to 21) with adult volunteers (“Bigs”), giving them guidance and connection one-on-one.
Spread Spencer’s Sparkle started in Englewood in 2021 after Dawn Stephens lost her son, Spencer Owen Stephens, in an auto accident. Spencer was a local performer, outspoken about his faith, and known for championing LGBTQ+ kids. He didn’t hide who he was, and that made him a beacon for others. After he died, his family could have just grieved quietly, but instead, they turned it into a movement for kindness, inclusion, and community outreach.
The nonprofit focuses on more than just acceptance. They support youth, arts and theater, LGBTQ+ awareness, and all kinds of local projects. Their scholarships help Lemon Bay High School students. They repair instruments, upgrade school theater equipment, sponsor shoe drives, install community art, and even started a windphone project in town. They cover homecoming, prom, and graduation costs for students who need a little help. It’s about turning grief into good by lifting up kids in the community.
The Ann Dever Children’s Advocacy Award carries a lot of meaning in Englewood. It’s not just a plaque. It’s a community-voted honor that celebrates those who put local children first, push for their protection, and help make their lives better.
Ann Dever, the award’s namesake, died of lung cancer in 2009, leaving behind a powerful legacy. She was a founding member of the Placida Rotary Club. She served on Charlotte County’s recreation advisory board and lobbied hard to bring modern parks, fields, a pool, and a splash playground to the area. The 315-acre Ann and Chuck Dever Regional Park exists because she refused to settle for less.
This award exists to remind the community what one determined advocate can accomplish, and to shine that spotlight on the next generation of champions.
