Mission
The Tom & Kim Ruggie Family Foundation
A 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization
The Tom & Kim Ruggie Family Foundation is helping build “community” through support of local projects that strengthen the bond of families, improve the quality of people’s lives and enhance opportunities for access to life-enriching services such as healthcare and education.
Board of Directors
Thomas H. Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®
“Hope thrives in a culture where courage, knowledge and commitment cross paths on a daily basis.”
In creating his firm and Family Foundation, Tom Ruggie, Founder of Ruggie Wealth Management, has created such a culture for himself and his team. One where giving back means ensuring hospice care is available to everyone nearing end of life. Where young families can plan thoughtfully for their children’s college education. And where neighbors and friends suffering from cancer, heart disease, and other debilitating conditions such as Crohn’s Disease find ever-higher levels of hope, simply because their lives intersected with his.
Tom also served on the UF Health Leesburg Hospital Foundation (Formerly the Leesburg Regional Medical Center Foundation), is an emeritus member of the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation Board (and former chairman), all 501 (c) (3) organizations.
He also helped found the Nathan Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor a classmate of his son who was killed at the age of 10 in a tragic accident. The Foundation that bears his family’s name is his passion project.
Kim Ruggie
Kim Ruggie’s perseverance through adversity has inspired her to lighten the way for others.
After leaving Vietnam for America at the age of 10, Kim and her family were surrounded by an alien culture and unfamiliar language. On the path to becoming a thread in the tapestry of America, the company that sponsored them provided them with basic necessities such as food, water and shelter. Their sponsor also viewed jobs and education as being part of “the basics”, and hard work and a desire to succeed eventually helped Kim and her family pull themselves out of poverty.
Kim loves her marriage to Tom Ruggie (and the man himself), their two wonderful children, and staying active through tennis and the high-impact CrossFit® program. She applies the same integrity and passion she brings to her health and relationships to her philanthropic endeavors.
One particular passion is the scholarship fund she and Tom helped create following the loss of their son’s 10-year-old friend, Nathan Hayes. The Foundation has been raising funds for annual scholarships in Nathan’s name, with a goal toward providing every student in Nathan and Christopher’s graduating class with a scholarship to help his classmates carry Nathan’s memory forward into their future lives.
Wade Boyette, J.D., LLM
It was once written, “… the most important time is now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important action is to do that person good.” Boyette, Cummins and Nailos Attorneys at Law Founding Partner Wade Boyette seems to have made that philosophy part of his own…and part of his firm’s.
Born in Estill, South Carolina, Wade came to Lake County in 1994 during a time of burgeoning growth. After graduating from Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Accounting, Mercer University with a J.D. Degree, and the University of Florida with a Master’s Degree in Taxation, he made his mark with a strong transactional law practice.
As the community around him grew, Wade helped organize many of the region’s businesses, building lifelong relationships as well as a sense of community. Along the way, BCN has grown as well – a fact Wade’s quick to acknowledge had a lot to do with the hard work of his partners and “family” of team members.
Although the firm’s practice areas are broad in scope (they handle a wide range of cases including real estate, foreclosure, bankruptcy, personal injury, family law, environmental law and disability), he and his team welcome clients into this extended family, encouraging clients to “know your attorney, know your options.”
Dr. Matt Leavitt
Dr. Matt Leavitt is both physician and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery®, which, with more than 140 offices, is the premier dermatology practice in the country. A true renaissance man, Dr. Leavitt is a Board-certified dermatologist, author, researcher, surgeon, lecturer, and philanthropist.
He is also the founder and chairman of Ameriderm® Research and executive medical advisor of Bosley®, the largest hair restoration group around the globe.
Tapped as an expert in his field by medical and pharmaceutical companies specializing in dermatology products, Dr. Leavitt is also involved with universities, industry organizations and medical journals. We are proud to have him as a friend and on our board.
David Maus
Florida is the adopted home of acclaimed businessman David Maus, and Central Florida has particularly benefited from having him as a part of our community. Originally hailing from Ohio, David was tapped to become the store manager of a Kissimmee Toyota dealership in 1993, which began his illustrious career in the automotive industry.
An avid (fan)atic of the Miami Dolphins, David QB’d his store to success and by 2003, the “David Maus” name graced its first dealership in Central Florida – David Maus Toyota. David’s skyrocketing success has led to several other top-ranking car dealerships on the West Coast of Florida.
In addition to being a part of our board, David also spearheads a variety of philanthropic works through the David Maus Foundation.
Grant Recipients
The Tom & Kim Ruggie Family Foundation and Ruggie Wealth Management are proud to support a number of organizations in our community that make a positive impact on children, the elderly, military veterans, health and wellness, end-of-life care, and education. A few of these include:
UF Health Leesburg Hospital Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of UF Health, Leesburg Hospital, this foundation (formerly the LRMC Foundation), a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, provides opportunities for everyone in our community to be involved in developing the resources of the hospital and supporting those who save lives, care for new life, restore health and ensure a healthier future through research.
This philanthropic support of excellence in healthcare enhances the lives of patients, their families, their loved ones and the community.
UF Health The Villages® Hospital Foundation
The UF Health The Villages Foundation works to support the mission of UF Health The Villages® Hospital and their Auxiliary membership of nearly 1000 volunteers who last year provided more than 165,000 hours of service, resulting in approximately $3.9 million in savings to the hospital.
Orlando Magic Youth Foundation
The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) is committed to helping children in Central Florida, especially those most at risk, realize their full potential, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.
Nathan Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund
We have been touched and humbled by your outpouring of generous support for this project which has very special significance to our community and to the Ruggie Family personally. A Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Ruggie Wealth and David Maus in Nathan’s name was a huge success. Whether your contribution was financial, in-kind, emotional or as a volunteer, the Hayes family and Tom and Kim Ruggie and family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
A special shout-out to the following:
Presenting Sponsors
- David Maus Automotive & Foundation
- Ruggie Wealth Management
Gold Sponsors
- Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery
- Hartford Mutual Funds
Silver Sponsors
- Malcolm Yawn Photography
- North American Substation Service, LLC
- Panera Bread
- Russell Investments
- Smallwood Signs
- PRfect Creative
- 401K Generation
- Lunch Sponsor
- RS Investments
Toys for Tots
Every holiday, Ruggie Wealth staff and friends collect new toys to brighten Christmas and Hanukkah for deserving children and their families.
Our lobbies, and our hearts, are always filled to overflowing, knowing more children will enjoy the wonder of the holidays.
A Gift for Teaching
A Gift for Teaching connects with the Central Florida community to improve public education by providing resources and surplus materials free to teachers for their students in need. Teachers shop for necessary supplies like books, backpacks, paper, crayons, hygiene items, even new socks and underwear.
Over 60% of students in the tri-county public schools can’t afford lunch, let alone school supplies. These children, the future leaders of our community, show up to school without the tools they need to be successful.
Our support helped:
- motivate personal and academic growth and success
- offer a positive, constructive outlet
- provide a sense of stability
- nurture creativity
- develop dreams for the future
- enrich the lives of our young people
Year round, AGFT is in need of regular supplies like: crayons, pencils, notebooks, glue, although all related items are appreciated. Please bring new/unused items for donation to either of our Ruggie Wealth Management offices.
Ronald McDonald Charities of Central Florida
Ruggie Wealth Management spotlighted its support for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, which creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. Ruggie Wealth offered to match client and employee contributions up to a total of $5000 and with that $5000 contribution to the charity’s Share-A-Night Program, we were able to provide 80 nights of lodging to families of children in need of medical care.
Treats for Our Troops
The Ruggie Wealth team was joined by people in our community in honoring our men and women serving in the military. Personal items and snacks were gathered for shipment to remote areas where our troops don’t have access to a PX or Commissary (store on base). As you can see from the photo (which shows a few of the items donated), good things do indeed come in small packages. We are proud to honor those who serve our country.
Ruggie Wealth and the Tom & Kim Ruggie Family Foundation also support numerous other charitable organizations including Cornerstone Hospice, Lake Cares Food Pantry, Leesburg Humane Society, and Lighthouse.