JOHN AND KITTY CELEBRATING NEW YEAR’S EVE, DECEMBER 31, 2023
The return of the snowbirds, plus new owners and renters, spark renewed energy each January at Heritage Palms, an undeniably active community. Common interests, and a sense of belonging, are fertile soil to interact and work together. A closer look at just one of our active members, Kitty Jedd, demonstrates just why HP is such a vibrant place to live.
JANUARY 29, 2024.
Kitty, who lived most of her adult life on Long Island, NY, recalls an early job interview for a small temporary personnel business. She arrived at the interview to see the owner talking on the phone. Three other phones were ringing off the hook, with there was no one to answer them. Seeing a need, Kitty took the initiative to answer the phones, taking call-back numbers. The owner was so impressed, Kitty was hired on the spot. That’s Kitty. She sees a need, or an opportunity, and jumps right in.
Interestingly, Kitty doesn’t see herself as a chief. She told me she sees herself as a detail person, working in collaboration with a group of like-minded people to achieve goals and objectives.
In 2010, Kitty and her husband, John, were invited to HP by a friend and business associate from Long Island. They enjoyed their time here so much that they bought their own veranda and moved here permanently in 2013.
Kitty’s current heavy involvement in our community began on a small scale by joining the Women’s Golf Association. Golfing each week, and constantly meeting new women, Kitty built her own first pillar of this community: membership and a sense of belonging.
It wasn’t long before Kitty volunteered for many of the WGA’s special events. Always diligent and ready to do her part, Kitty developed an abundance of friendships. Not only that, but Kitty also built her second pillar of community: influence and having a voice in the culture of HP.
AND JOHN & KITTY AT THE 2025 FOURTH OF JULY SCRAMBLE.
Before long, Kitty was elected to the WGA Board as Tournament Director, later as Vice-President, and then President. During her tenure, Kitty collaborated with other officers to revise the organization’s By-Laws to reflect changes within the league. Because of her many contacts and past successes, Kitty easily found more than enough volunteers to run various events and trusted them to do it well without interference. Kitty has constructed a strong third pillar of community: fulfilling the needs of the community.
After leaving the WGA Board, Kitty continues to quietly find ways to serve both the WGA and the Fort Myers community at large. She heads the WGA Charity’s “Booze Wagon Event,” raising thousands of dollars each year for underfunded local charities such as Lee Country Breast Cancer and the Dubin Center, an organization that supports those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. In a smaller way, Kitty organizes her golf group to contribute as well. Kitty is currently the chair of the WGA Hospitality Committee, planning luncheons and other events that bring WGA members together throughout the season.
AT THE BEACH,
JULY 12, 2025.
Kitty serves on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) which sets standards for the appearance of HP’s single-family homes, villas, verandas, and terraces.
Always looking for ways to create community, Kitty organizes a monthly summer luncheon called The Lunch Bunch, for women who live at HP year-round.
This past year, Kitty and John were the organizers of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. And members will often see Kitty at exercise classes in the Activity Center.
Kitty Jedd is just one example of the enormous number of volunteers and participants who make HP such an extraordinary place to live. She proves that there are many ways to help build and support this community. Thus, we see Kitty build her fourth and final pillar of community: emotional connections and bonds that tie us all together.
Obviously golf, tennis, and pickleball offer fun social events. However, there are also the following opportunities to belong and influence:
• Serve on a Volunteer Advisory Committee
• Attend HP’s Book Club
• Enjoy Mahjongg, Bridge, Poker, Euchre and other card games each week
• Attend Fitness and Wellness Speaker events – all found on the HP calendar
• Join the HPCO
• Attend Bible Study
• Join Blankets of Love
• Attend Community Relations Committee Presentations
• Join HP’s Cycling Club
• Consider the Boys2Men Mentorship Program
• Attend Open Mic
• Play Ping-Pong
• Attend State Parties
• Attend HP University Club events
• Join the HP Veterans Association Visit our website to learn more about how you can create your own individual plan to belong and contribute to the paradise we call Heritage Palms. If you see Kitty, make sure you award her with a big thank you for her volunteerism
