colorful family peeking to right
Who can think of November without Thanksgiving coming to mind? Thanksgiving is a time to nourish our souls not only with a hearty meal, but also with family, friends and gratitude. For many families, a full plate is not guaranteed on Thanksgiving nor on any other day of the year. Another way to nourish our souls during this month of giving thanks is to teach our families to give of themselves.
This guide spotlights local charities and nonprofits to give you ideas for giving back to those in need, and as a resource if you need a helping hand.
Click here to access our entire Nonprofit Directory, updated annually.
Click here to access our 2013 Giving Back Directory
Click here to access our 2014 Giving Back Directory
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast, Collier County Chapter
239-331-7133 • bbbssun.org • Lois Gomez at 331-7133
Big Brothers and Big Sisters provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-on-one relationships that change their lives for the better.
Get Involved: Naples High School was the first to match high school juniors and seniors with a child. Volunteers also can participate in a school-based program at Shadowlawn Elementary School, or by spending time interacting together out in the community.
2. Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue Inc.
239-434-7480 • Karen Hill, Admin@BrookesLegacyAnimal • Rescue.org
Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue saves adoptable pets from euthanasia at the kill shelters and places them in permanent, loving homes.
Get Involved: Young students can volunteer with their parents. Opportunities include helping with cat care, fundraising, foster care, dog walking at events, event coordination, and donations of dog and cat supplies such as food, clay cat litter, leashes, bleach and paper towels. Families can foster or adopt pets and give them a second chance.
3. Catholic Charities of Collier County
239-793-0059 • catholiccharitiescc.org/get-involved/ • Star Barto, bstar@catholiccharitiescc.org
Catholic Charities, rated four stars by Charity Navigator, aims to fight poverty, strengthen families and build communities through agency services and programs that ensure human dignity and enhance the quality of life for all persons regardless of race, creed, color or religious affiliation. The group’s service population includes individuals, couples, children, families, single parents, non-custodial families, refugees, migrant farm workers and many others in need of specific assistance.
Get Involved: Catholic Charities currently needs help stocking food shelves and distributing food to those in need, K-12 tutors, volunteers with School on Wheels, and donations.
4. Cancer Alliance of Naples
239-643-4673 • cancerallianceofnaples.com
Every dollar raised stays locally to help people touched by cancer by providing financial aid with non-medical bills (rent, utilities, automobile costs), support, education and information services. CAN also offers free group counseling, free nutrition programs, college scholarships for graduating seniors who are cancer survivors, and an extensive library for anyone in the community to use.
Get Involved: Enjoy a comfortable volunteer office with plenty of coffee and a friendly environment. CAN volunteers assist with the reception desk, telephones, mailings and data entry. CAN volunteers also help with event planning and preparation throughout the year. KidsCAN is a program where high school kids help kids who are dealing with cancer.
5. Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs
239-495-8989 • artcenterbonita.org • Volunteer Contact: cfab@artinsua.com
The Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs provides opportunities for artistic expression, education and appreciation through exhibitions, performance and classes for children and adults.
Get Involved: There is an opportunity for every interest including event helpers, ushers, education, office work and in the gift store.
6. Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition
239-263-9363 • collierhomelesscoalition.org • Debra Mahr, info@collierhomelesscoalition.org
The mission of this Coalition is to facilitate solutions to prevent and end hunger and homelessness by coordinating services in Collier County.
Get Involved: The Hunger and Homeless Coalition is organizing the annual Point in Time Count and Outreach for people experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness in Collier County. Volunteers are needed on January 26, 2014, to assist with the count and the Get Help Clinics in Naples and Immokalee.
7. David Lawrence Center
24/7 Access: 239-455-8500 • davidlawrencecenter.org • Volunteer Contact: info@dlcmhc.com
The David Lawrence Center has 40 different programs to provide intervention and treatment related to mental health and substance abuse. All of our lives are touched in some way by mental illness and substance abuse. Mental illness affects one in four families and one in nine will become substance abusers. Mental illness is often at the root of problems related to alcohol and other drugs. The Center’s mission is to inspire and create life-changing wellness for every individual through innovative behavioral health solutions.
Get Involved: Work in Encores Resale Shop, administrative light office work or help set up and decorate for special events and fundraisers. Volunteers also can hold a book drive for the Center’s Child’s Path Preschool, donate or collect items on the Center’s wish list, for the Women’s Boutique or for holiday stocking stuffers.
8. Domestic Animal Services
239-252-7387 • collierpets.com • Volunteer Contact: 239-252-8657
The purpose of Domestic Animal Services is to return strays to their owners and promote adoption of homeless animals to new families, and to work toward ending the community problem of pet overpopulation.
Get Involved: Opportunities available for volunteers (age 15 or older) include assisting in the shelter by socializing or grooming animals, helping customers by acting as an adoption counselor and appearing on or helping behind the scenes of the “Happy Tails” TV show.
9. The Greater Naples YMCA
239-597-3148 • greaternaplesYMCA.org • Bonita Springs YMCA • 239-221-7560 • swflymca.org
The YMCAs are dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities by providing resources available to all persons regardless of status or ability to pay.
Get Involved: Volunteers are always needed to coach and referee a variety of team sports, lead committees and teach classes. The Greater Naples YMCA needs donations to continue to rebuild the facilities damaged by the Labor Day fire.
10. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
239-775-0036 • habitatcollier.org • Kara Kouloheras, karak@hfhcollier.com
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. This organization was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
Get Involved: Teens age 16 or older are welcome to build homes on our jobsite as long as they have a parent or guardian with them. Younger kids can help by setting up refreshments for volunteers at break time on the jobsite. Habitat can provide house banks for children to collect loose change and cash to be put towards supplies for building homes for hardworking families in need.
11. The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida
239-334-7007 x141 • www.harrychapinfoodbank.org • Tanya Phillips or Katie Schweikardt, kschweikhardt@harrychapinfoodbank.org
The mission of the Harry Chapin Food Bank is “to overcome hunger in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties through education and by working in a cooperative effort with affiliated agencies in the procurement and distribution of food, equitably and without discrimination.”
Get Involved: Children and their families can get involved by holding a food drive.
Teens and their families (16 and older) can get involved by distributing food at a mobile pantry.
12. Help a Diabetic Child, Inc.
239-821-5051 • hadcf.org • Tami Balavage, hlpdiabeticchild@aol.com
The Help a Diabetic Child Foundation is dedicated to providing children with vital diabetic supplies, which helps families keep vigilant control over blood glucose levels and reduce complications from the disease.
Get Involved: HADCF can provide volunteer opportunities to kids and families through one of the scheduled events such as car washes, hamburger/hot dog sales, information distribution, customer appreciation night at a local fitness center, or the Golf for Diabetes event. Or, the kids and teens can develop their own ideas and plans for a fundraising event.
13. Hope for Halloween
facebook.com/pages/Hope-for-Halloween/ • Kristy Rea, hope4halloween@gmail.com
Hope for Halloween collects new and gently used costumes to families in need, allowing children to make lifelong memories, develop self-worth and be an active part of their community.
Get Involved: Now that Halloween has just passed, you can donate cleaned costumes for distribution next Halloween. During the months of September and October, drop boxes are available to donate your old costumes or keep at your business, school or organization for collections.
14. Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida
239-325-4444 • ifcsswfl.org • Volunteer Contact: 239-325-4444 x205,mkahn@jfcsswfl.org or info@jfcsswfl.org
The mission of Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida, a non-sectarian human service agency, is to support individuals and families of all ages by providing a wide range of social services, including mental health counseling, case management, financial assistance and crisis intervention.
Get Involved: Donate to the JCFS food pantry, help organize the pantry, perform light office work, or adopt a needy family for the holiday season and fulfill their wish list.
15. Lighthouse of Collier, Inc.
239-430-3934 • lighthouseofcollier.org • Volunteer Info: info@lighthouseofcollier.org
Lighthouse of Collier promotes the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of programs and services to foster independence and enhance the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired children and adults.
Get Involved: Need volunteers for events, office work and fundraising.
16. Meals of Hope
239-537-7775 • mealsofhope.org • Steve Popper, info@meals-of-hope.org
Meals of Hope food packages, which are distributed by its accredited food bank partners, offer more than nutrition. To children who are dealing with the stress and insecurity of not knowing how or when they will receive their next meal, a comforting bowl of macaroni and cheese or beans and rice (both fortified with soy protein and 21 vitamins and minerals), provides a bit of hope to carry them through another day. All meals that are packed by sponsors and volunteers are provided to recipients free of charge through well-established food banks throughout the United States.
Get Involved: Meals of Hope gives thousands of volunteer-minded individuals a way to make a positive impact by bringing food packing events to their local churches, schools, associations and other clubs and service organizations.
17. Miracle Limbs-Courage in Motion
239-591-8393 • www.miraclelimbs.org • Robert or Diana Ayres Robert@miraclelimbs.com
This organization provides support to amputees so that they may more easily navigate the physical, psychological and financial hurdles that accompany the experience of losing a limb.
Get Involved: Donate or raise money to help support amputees with prosthetics, surgeries and counseling.
18. NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition of Collier County
239-552-7788 • SafeHealthyChildren.org • Paula DiGrigoli, Info@Safehealthychildren.org
The Coalition facilitates and implements programs to combat childhood obesity, prevent childhood drowning and reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Through its swim lessons and wellness programs, the Coalition aims at keeping Collier County children safe.
Get Involved: We are always looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in our community. Because our risk areas are so diversified, everyone interested would be able to find something that matches their interests.
19. Naples Equestrian Challenge
239- 596-2988 • Missy Saracino, missysaracino@naplesequestrianchallenge.org • naplesequestrianchallenge.org
Naples Equestrian Challenge improves the lives of children and adults with special needs through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs. For individuals with impaired mobility, horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves their bodies in a three-dimensional motion, simulating the natural walking gait of humans. In addition to the physical benefits of riding a horse, our lessons are designed to help riders mentally focus to practice using their concentration in ways that very often do not come naturally to them. Horseback riding builds self-esteem, self-confidence and self-control.
Get Involved: Volunteers attend a New Volunteer Orientation and complete a Volunteer Application. Volunteers are required to attend a training session prior to volunteering for the program. Other opportunities such as fundraising and grounds maintenance are available.
20. The Naples Players and KidzAct
239-434-7340 • naplesplayers.org • Becky Troop, btroop@naplesplayers.org.
The mission of The Naples Players is to create and perform affordable, high quality amateur theatre; to encourage participation in and appreciation of theatre; and to provide educational and enrichment opportunities and outreach programs for all residents and visitors.
Get Involved: There are more than 40 different types of volunteer jobs with the Naples Players, including actors, crew, costume workers, hairstylists, musicians, office assistants and ushers. Previous theatrical training is not required.
21. PACE Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee
239-377-9864 • pacecenter.org/collier • Maribel Beltran, 239-377-9860
PACE provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. PACE Center for Girls, Inc., is a nationally recognized and research-based model that features a balanced emphasis on academics and social services with a focus on the future for middle and high-school aged girls and young women. More than 50 girls, ages 12 to 18, attend the Collier County day program in Immokalee, and face a variety of challenges such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, academic underachievement, substance abuse, trauma, death of a parent and/or family history of incarceration.
Get Involved: Families and children can get involved by attending events such as Love that Dress, annual food and gift drives at the holidays, sponsoring a monthly birthday bash held for the girls whose special day falls in that month (donate money or supplies) and yard work. The cafeteria needs repainting: donations of time, paint or supplies are appreciated, and all ages are welcome.
22. Project Help, Inc.
239-649-1404 Office • 239-262-7227 Hotline 24/7 • ProjectHelpNaples.org • Michelle English, 239-649-1404
Project HELP works with dignity and compassion to ease the pain of those affected by rape, violence, crime or loss of a loved one. Not only do they staff a crisis phone line 24 hours a day and seven days per week, they serve as advocates in court and work with the Naples Police Department to deliver tragic news and provide immediate support.
Get Involved: We work with many volunteers. To work the 24/7 Hotline, you must be at least 18 year old and complete 40 hours training. Ages 14 and older can do light office work. Children and teens can help with events like carwashes or the Annual Walk.
23. Project Outreach
ProjectOutreachNaples.com • Angie Meister, projectoutreach@comcast.net
Project Outreach organizes volunteer activities in the community, assists other organizations with their events and helps local hurting families in need. The group’s goal is to teach local youth the selflessness of serving.
Get Involved: Join one of Project Outreach’s many projects such as serving dinner at St. Matthew’s House, hosting a party at Youth Haven or collecting for a food and clothing drive for the Immokalee House.
24. Ricky King Children’s Fund
239-449-0209 • RickyKingFund.org • Jennifer Weidenbruch, info@rickykingfund.org
The Ricky King Children’s Fund enriches the lives of children with disabilities in Southwest Florida by providing essential medical equipment (walkers, hospital beds and van conversions) and services not covered by insurance or Medicaid in times of need.
Get Involved: Raise money to donate to the fund.
25. Rushman-Micah Angel Foundation
239-216-2363 • rmaf-fl.org • Barbara Brown: rmaf32@yahoo.com
The mission of the Rushman-Micah Angel Foundation is to serve as a family and community resource center to assist and advocate for children, youth and adults who have disabilities and socio-economic disadvantages. The organization strives to help individuals and their families overcome barriers to work, play and creative opportunities so that individuals may lead independent, self-sustainable lives.
Get Involved: Volunteers are needed for the foundation’s inclusive therapeutic sports camps, multi-media art projects and music festival that will occur periodically throughout the year. High school students, adults and seniors are needed to help at the events, in addition to the foundation’s need for event sponsors and donors.
26. St. Matthew’s House
239-774-0500 • www.stmatthewshouse.org • Donna Martin: donna@stmatthewshouse.org
St. Matthew’s House provides housing for the homeless, food for the needy and structured prevention and recovery programs.
Get Involved: St. Matthew’s relies on volunteers for counter and stock help at their thrift stores, to serve holiday community meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter as well as throughout the year, administrative support, to pack groceries and organize food pantry and to hold fundraising events and donation drives for their wish list.
27. The Salvation Army
239-775-9447 • Christopher Nind: salvationarmynaples.org
The Salvation Army is the world’s largest organization that provides aid to the homeless, the hungry and the hurting. The Army also provides youth programs, religious training and disaster services.
Get Involved: The Naples canteen stands in a state of readiness to feed 500 people three meals within two hours of a disaster call. Volunteers are needed for programs including Seniors Club, Bikes for Work, Backpacks for School, and Youth Groups. The Child Care Center needs supplies, games and equipment for children ages one to five. Volunteers in the After School Program are needed for one hour between 3:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. one or two days per week to read with a child or help with homework. Donate supplies, games and equipment for students ages 5-12. Your help is very important during November and December to help collect, sort, stack and pack bags for holiday distribution to needy families.
28. The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
Confidential 24-hour crisis line: • 239-775-1101 • naplesshelter.org • Rebecca Thompson, 239-775-3862 • rthompson@naplesshelter.org
The Shelter’s mission is to lead the community to prevent, protect and prevail over domestic violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change. More than just an emergency safe haven, the Shelter provides education, counseling, legal aid, transitional housing, support groups and healing arts such as yoga, creative writing and art.
Get Involved: Volunteers are The Shelter’s foundation, providing invaluable support in our offices and throughout Collier County. Opportunities include: Youth Advisory Council that is made up of teens and preteens from across Collier County working to change the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of teens, reducing teen dating violence in our community. Holiday giving opportunities include: adopting a family, hosting a spirit of giving tree, making donations to the shelter’s wish list, recycling cell phones or volunteering in Options Thrift Shoppe (age 16 and older.)
29. SWFL Foster & Adoptive Parent Association, Inc.
239-410-6090 • swflapa.com • Joy Brinkdpoke: brinkdopkeswflfapa@Gmail.com
The SWFL Foster & Adoptive Parent Association advocates for the needs of foster/adoptive children and caregivers through outreach, mentoring and support.
Get Involved: Volunteers are needed at the group’s 2nd Annual Princess Day event in November to help put on a special day for princesses by collecting donations, helping decorate and set up the day before the event, dress up, and dance with the girls in the ballroom.
30. Surfers for Autism, Inc.
surfersforautism.org • Dave Rossmann: dsrman747@gmail.com
The Surfers for Autism mission is to unlock the potential of people with developmental delays and support advocacy for autism issues and scientific research. “Surfers” and their families are treated like rock stars and enjoy a day filled with a range of activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, live music, face-painting, games, fire engine tours and much more. A catered lunch is also provided, all at no cost to registered participants, their families and volunteers. This is a very special day where children with developmental delays interact with typical peers and wow families with their capabilities.
Get Involved: You do not need to know how to surf to be able to volunteer. The majority of volunteers needed will be in the water but inexperienced volunteers will be at the water line or may assume duties in the activity tent or food tent. Minimum age to volunteer is 10 years old. Any volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have their waiver signed and notarized prior to the event.
Youth Haven
239-774-2904 • youthhaven.net • Aileen Carroll, Aileen.Carroll@youthhaven.net
Youth Haven is Southwest Florida’s residential emergency shelter for boys and girls ages 6-16 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Children coming to Youth Haven are severely traumatized and in crisis. They have experienced abuse and/or hunger. Youth Haven is an immediate lifeline of safety, love and compassion for innocent children in crisis and first step in a long journey back to trust, confidence and joy. Youth Haven also provides an array of home and community-based parenting education, child and substance abuse prevention programs, financial crisis support and onsite and community based emotional and psychological counseling.
Get Involved: One of the most important ways kids and families can help is during the holidays and back-to-school season. Many of these children have never had a new backpack or experienced the excitement of opening presents. Kids and families can send holiday cards, purchase gifts for our shelter children, or organize a drive, such as toy drive or food drive, to name a few.