As the Crohn's Charity Service Foundation (CCSF) Wellness Festival in the Park on April 8 approaches, Yvette Stafford, the Naples nonprofit organization’s founder and CEO, tends to reminisce, expressing a sense of deep gratitude for all that has transpired since the organization’s start in 2011. “After helping my son to minimize his suffering with Crohn's disease, I began working to fulfill his request to do all that I could to inform others of the help that’s available to them. The foundation, which I do this through, assists individuals, as well as their families, with Crohn’s, inflammatory bowel disease and colitis. We help them regain and sustain a normal life by providing information, awareness and financial assistance to rebuild confidence and self-esteem,” says Stafford.

In 2016, upon recognizing the need to address the challenge of Florida’s medical marijuana laws that then excluded Crohn’s patients, Stafford enrolled in horticultural classes with America’s first cannabis college, Oaksterdam University, in Oakland, California, to get an education in the industry. Today she educates the community via events such as the wellness festival, which features doctors, dispensaries and local community businesses that provide wellness services. 

CCSF is a member of Feeding America, NoKid Hungry and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. Out of love for the community, Stafford has become adept at fundraising, arranging events such as the TOP Golf 2022 Food Bank Fundraiser in Fort Myers on March 20. “The money we raise at the event helps to feed our kids throughout the summer months,” says Stafford, who is also a woman with green thumbs that help 14 garden plots at the Golden Gate Community Center to flourish.

Not one to let a weed grow under foot, in 2017 Stafford began taking CCSF to MJBizCon. The three-day conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center showcases exhibits, pre-show forums, and more than 140 speakers, plus networking and partnership building opportunities. For the event, Stafford organizes a red-carpet fundraiser to recognize the efforts of individuals, organizations and businesses working locally and nationally to educate the public and legislators about the need for legalizing marijuana with its many health benefits. “We have dispensaries in Bonita Springs that have allowed me to have our CCSF “Miss Blueberry” bus on site so that we can participate in Patient Appreciation Days. We give out a bag of food so that people visiting the dispensary can save on groceries at the same time,” explains Stafford, who emphasizes that CCSF's sole mission is to build community and serve the individuals in it. “We’ve distributed 119,000 pounds of food in the last 60 weeks. We’ll never stop creating new ways to keep doing this.”

Miss Blueberry, with a solar generator and panels, has no need for gasoline. It also has a refrigeration unit to keep food fresh. “In a hurricane, which disrupts the food chain, we are self-sustainable so that we can continue to distribute food to families in need. We never forget that we are here to serve,” emphasizes Stafford.

Chron’s Charity Service Foundation Wellness Festival in the Park Celebration Day is Apr. 8, noon-9 p.m. Meet the doctors and dispensary day is Apr. 9 and 10, noon-9 p.m. Location: Riverside Park, Old US 41 Rd., Bonita Springs. For more information call 239-200-7214 or 239-250-2323.