Bill Hulbig Donation Advances Habitat Mission in Collier

February 2026 marked a powerful milestone for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County with its 15th annual Give to the Max Matching Challenge. In past years, the community’s generosity always rose to the challenge and matched all donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $2 million.

In February 2026, Bill Hulbig of Marco Island took that challenge and commitment to the next level with an extraordinary $300,000 gift. “Bill’s donation will fully fund the construction of a Habitat home in Collier County, covering not only the construction materials, but also the land and essential infrastructure that form the home’s foundation,” said Rev. Lisa Lefkow, Chief Executive Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.

“Soon a hard-working local family, selected through Habitat Collier’s rigorous application process and having completed required volunteer 'sweat equity' hours and pre-purchase education, will sign the mortgage documents that signify a life-changing milestone: homeownership,” said Lefkow. “Over time, that family will repay Bill’s investment through their affordable mortgage, allowing Habitat Collier to purchase additional land and build more homes for families in need.”

“But Bill didn’t stop there,” she added, “recognizing Habitat’s proven vetting process and its track record of preparing families for long-term success, Bill also launched a scholarship program to support adult learners and high school graduates in Habitat homes who are pursuing vocational training and certification programs. These opportunities will increase earning potential and help families climb the economic ladder toward lasting stability.”

Hulbig’s generosity extends beyond his lifetime. As a member of Habitat Collier’s Legacy Society, he has included the organization in his estate plans, ensuring his impact will continue for generations to come. “Imagine the difference we could make if we all followed Bill’s lead and became involved in a life-changing organization like Habitat for Humanity,” said Lefkow. “Together, we could build a stronger, more vibrant, and more thriving community.”

Here on Marco, it is a recognizable sight around the South Barfield and Caxambas Court roadways and side streets to see Hulbig and his partner, Bonnie Calvin, wearing neon green reflective nylon vests, holding litter grabbers and trash bags, picking up roadway litter and food trash around construction sites. This is part of their morning routine. Through the years, they have included restaurant alleyways and the median along South Collier Boulevard.

This mission started out four years ago and quickly took on a cult-like devotion, which led to Hulbig inventing a litter grabber that could pick up most of the roadway litter. Hulbig and Calvin are in their 80s, and it was not easy for them to bend down and pick up litter using a conventional grabber. Hulbig’s “Littergator” grabber is patent pending.

In the midst of his litter grabber invention, Hulbig was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma and spent nine months of intensive therapy, but he kept busy. In between perfecting the “Littergator,” Hulbig was also working on a back brace to help with his chronic back pain, which led him to invent the T-Bone Backsaver, also in patent-pending status. And as an avid boater, he was tinkering on a patent for a high-efficiency shallow draft drive for kayaks and paddle boards.

Hulbig is still receiving interventional radiation and continues to walk for two hours every day to pick up neighborhood litter. Friends ask, “When do you find the time to do all these?” Currently, Hulbig is busy working on the design, manufacture, and installation of a special dual-powered curtain, tilted about 45 degrees and mounted about four stories high, for his local congregation. In jest, he refers to himself as a “handyman, entrepreneur, engineer, and an inventor.”

Lefkow sums it up by adding, “Bill Hulbig has always strived to make a difference and spent a lifetime giving generously of his time, talent, and treasure. Bill has consistently run headlong toward making a difference.”