Cape Coral resident Sean Hoover, Investigator with the State Attorney’s Office, formerly with the Ft Myers Police Department

Sean Hoover has grown up in Cape Coral, living here for 28 years and attending Gulf Middle School before graduating from Mariner High School in 1994.  Sean married his high school sweetheart Jennifer, even though she graduated from Cape Coral High in 1995.

The couple have twins (a boy and a girl) Ethan and Sydney (12) and Hayden (7).  Their family also includes 2 dogs, three cats, one rabbit, two gerbils and a fish.

During Sean’s tenure with the Ft Myers PD, he worked in the homicide unit of the detective bureau for several years “and I have seen some serious stuff, from murders to kids dying, etc.  It changed me to focus on making a better life for my family and living each day to its fullest.”

He spent 11 years as a Team Leader serving hundreds of high risk search warrants and responding to barricade and hostage incidents.  He was also the Team Leader on SWAT and the Sniper Team.  “Way too many stories to share here!”

Today, as an investigator for the State Attorney’s Office, he helps with the preparation of cases for court, working closely with the attorneys.  “It’s a great job because we see to it that the cases being prosecuted are followed through to the end of the court process and that the victims in the cases see closure.”

Sean founded a non-profit organization called 4 The Kids Foundation about 9 years ago as his son Ethan was battling with cancer.  “We would buy child themed band aids, get our friends and families to do the same, and then donate them to the hospital. We heard stories of parents having to quit their jobs due to their child going through treatment.  We saw kids who were too often left alone because their parents were working multiple jobs.  So we started buying things for these kids and families out of our own pockets.  We would buy school clothes for kids, and school supplies.  We would buy toys for kids to play with.”

Sean realized that so much needed to be done, and that they needed to do some serious fundraising, so he started the 501c3 process with the IRS.  They got 4 The Kids Foundation off the ground and it has been going strong ever since.  “None of the staff are paid, we all volunteer. We have several programs that we run, like campfire night where we set up a faux campfire and tents, and then bring in entertainment such as magicians, jugglers, professional story tellers, one time we had the Ft Myers SWAT team interacting with the kids.”

“We also have other programs such as books and magazines program where we get hundreds of books and donate them for the kids to have at no cost to them. Once a year, we hold an event called Spring Bling.  We take over the atrium of the hospital and turn it into a night club for the patients of the hospital.  Complete with a live DJ, dinner, dessert;  Norman Love comes out every year, we have activities for the kids, face painting, balloon artistry, photo booth and free gifts for the kids when they leave.  This is our biggest event every year and has been going on for 7 years now. ”

“This organization is my pride and joy, and it is my passion.  I love helping out the kids at the hospital.  Originally it started out to focus on the Oncology (cancer) unit, but has grown and expanded thanks to community support and now we serve all areas of the Children’s Hospital.”

Please visit the website for additional information about the organization and to find out how you can help.  www.4thekidsfoundation.org

Thank you, Sean, for all that you have done for this community!  You are a Hometown Hero!