About Us
Our Mission
The Kindness Project provides the homeless population of Lee County with “Blessing Bags” full of hygiene products and other materials the homeless may need living on the street or in shelters. The list of requested donations was identified by the Lee County’s Homeless Coalition; these items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, insect repellant, shampoo, conditioner, etc. The Kindness Project is an on-going service project directed by Professor Bill O’Dell and his wife Elizabeth O’Dell. This Project works directly with the Lee County Homeless Coalition and Lee County Human & Veteran Services so that the Blessing Bags can be passed out to the chronically homeless population of Lee County. These bags are packed by students of FGCU at a “Packing Day” event.
Why are "Blessing Bags" important?
The Blessing Bags packed by the Kindness Project are then past on to Lee County's Human and Veteran Services to be passed out to chronically homeless people.
Chronically homeless people living on the streets can understandably become defensive because of their current situation, therefore blessing bags serves as a start to a positive connection and conversation about other services Lee County offers for Homeless people.
Meet the team
Bill O'Dell
Elizabeth O'Dell
Elizabeth O'Dell
Founder of the Kindness Project
Bill O'Dell is an Adjunct Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University teaching Civic Engagement and Criminal Justice courses. As a former California Highway Patrolman, Prof. O'Dell has a passion for helping the under privileged; most recently helping the homeless community of Lee County as founder of the Kindness Project.
Elizabeth O'Dell
Elizabeth O'Dell
Elizabeth O'Dell
Program Administrator
Elizabeth O'Dell is a community leader dedicated to helping those less fortunate. Although continuing to serve as a volunteer for the junior Women of Initiative in Collier County. Elizabeth serves as co-founder, organizer and administrator for the Kindness Project.
Dr. Ashley Parks
Elizabeth O'Dell
Dr. Ashley Parks
Research Director-California Baptist University
DrPH, MBA, MPH, MTech, MCHES, CPH, CPHQ, CPHRM, CS-MC, PMP, CSSBB, CPPS
Assistant Professor, Public Health Sciences
College of Health Science
