Sen. Wilton Simpson Named Philanthropist of the Year

Florida Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, has been named 2013 Philanthropist of the Year by the Nature Coast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

In its announcement, the AFP said, "In 2011, Wilton Simpson and his wife Kathryn made an unprecedented $250,000 gift to the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation that resulted in the naming of the breast health center at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills."

The announcement continued, "The Simpson Breast Health Center opened in October 2012 and is providing the community with outstanding screening, diagnostics, treatment and education for maintaining and restoring breast health.

"This extraordinary gift shows the Simpsons' level of commitment to the continuation of providing exceptional health care to East Pasco County and inspires others to embrace philanthropy in their own lives as a tangible way to make improvements in their communities."

Simpson responded, "While my involvement in philanthropic work is not done to seek personal recognition, I am deeply grateful to the people in my district who nominated me. As a newly elected legislator, I work every day to find ways that laws and regulation can be streamlined so that we have a government that is effective at fixing problems."

The senator concluded, "That process has reaffirmed to me that, while there is a role for government, it is no substitute for a community of neighbors who take the time to care for each other."