COASTE | TAKE FIVE
to make every day a good day.” By: John Sprecher
1 You’ve earned a variety of significant awards and accolades for your service to the community; where does that giving come from? As our lives have unfolded, my wife Linda and I have always had the luxury to focus on each other, our community and our work. I think both of us have charitable intent in our blood. I’m also an Eagle Scout and I think that’s a core tenet of Scouting, giving back to the community. 2 What are you involved with this year, and do you have an idea how many volunteer hours you log in a year? I don’t think I want to go there (editor’s note: said with laughter)! I’m very fortunate, I have a business partner who’s very organized, and we’ve developed an office system that runs very smoothly. It frees me up to spend a lot of time on the things I care about. This year, my involvement includes Southwest Florida Symphony, United Way and a board position with Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. When did you begin narrating The Nutcracker , and has that been your most visible role? I think it’s visible certainly having done it for almost 10 years, but I think you’re also visible anytime you’re doing something big, such as the year I chaired the United Way Campaign, or when Linda and I chaired the American Heart Association Heart Ball. Whenever you’re proclaimed this or receive that award, you get your 15 minutes of fame. Is there one moment or instance that’s been most rewarding to you? If I had to pick one, it was when Jim Nathan of Lee Memorial Health System and I were chosen to be Junior Achievement Laureates of Lee County. Anytime you’re selected with Jim Nathan is pretty special. He’s obviously one of the best known people in the community for doing good. You deal with a physical challenge and don’t let it slow you down; what would you tell others on the sidelines about getting involved? I think you wake up every morning and decide if you’re gonna make it a good day or not. I am wired such that I choose to make every day a good day. I am very thankful I’m here. About the time I was diagnosed with cancer, a couple of pretty good friends of mine were diagnosed, too. One has since died and another is struggling, and as of two weeks ago, I am three and a half years cancer free. I’m not Superman. I just think you make a choice how you want to treat life. 3 4 5
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