by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Sanibel City Council named the Recreation Department’s Marketing & Events Coordinator, Denise Dillon, as Employee of the First Quarter for Fiscal Year 2026.
Dillon was hired in 2023 as a part-time, as-needed Recreation Services Assistant at the Sanibel Recreation Center and has taken on many different duties prior to her 2024 promotion to her current position as Marketing & Events Coordinator.
Dillon has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from the University of North Carolina and has more than 10 years of marketing and event planning experience.
Peer comments submitted with her nomination include:
• In her current position, she has taken the recreation department’s marketing to the next level by expanding our social media reach via Facebook and Instagram, creating high-impact promotional materials, calendars, and website updates. Denise played a crucial role in the planning and implementation of the 50th Anniversary events, as well as in re-establishing signature community events such as the Annual Egg Hunt at the Ballfields, the 4th of July Community Celebration at the Recreation Center, and the Annual Tree Lighting at Community Park. Denise’s level of detail, energy, personality, and passion for bringing joy to others is unmatched!
• Denise has demonstrated exceptional service through her outstanding organization of community events and employee functions citywide. Her work has earned consistent praise from my Sanibel neighbors, friends, and patrons who highlight the meaningful community impact of her programs. Through her collaborative approach and ability to create events that resonate with patrons, she has elevated the City’s profile as an economic powerhouse.
Council also issued a Proclamation declaring February 11, 2026, as “211 Day” on Sanibel. United Way 211 of Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties was created in 2003 and provides a free, confidential service available 24/7/365 that connects individuals and families to essential resources and services they need, including assistance with housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and more.
United Way 211 of Lee, Hendry, and Glades serves as a vital lifeline for residents in Southwest Florida, offering access to hundreds of local programs and services that strengthen the community and support those in need.
In 2025, United Way 211 assisted 45,365 individuals and families in Southwest Florida during times of need by providing 57,005 resources that helped households stay connected to essential support with the most pressing needs centered on utility and housing assistance, access to food pantries, support for individuals experiencing homelessness, and coordinated entry into housing services. United Way 911 also provided critical support to veterans and veteran families.
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