When Gabe Garcia and Jayden Herrera stepped into leadership roles at Palmetto Ridge High School in Naples, Florida, they made it their mission to redefine Naples high school community service. Rather than limiting their roles to school spirit events, the duo launched a heartfelt stuffed animal drive that brought comfort and joy to preschoolers through their school’s Little Cubs program—proving that local teens can lead with purpose and compassion.
Stuffed Animal Drive Brings Smiles
Little Cubs is a preschool where high school students in child care classes help teach and care for young children. “We thought it would be really cool to give the kids a comfort animal,” Jayden said. “I know they are starting to grow up, and sometimes it can be hard. It just helps kids smile and makes them happy.”
From Idea to Action in Naples
Inspired at a student council leadership conference, Gabe and Jayden began collecting stuffed animals before Thanksgiving. Within weeks, they had gathered about 50 donations, with more still coming. Their next goal is to donate additional toys to Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee.
While some donations came from students, most were contributed by generous Naples businesses like State Farm and the Pop Toy Co.
Fostering a Culture of Giving
“It is great that they are making a difference at this age, and they can continue to grow from that,” said Justin Rodriguez, student government advisor at PRHS. “It is rewarding that they are sharing what they learned at the leadership conference.”
PRHS Principal Tobin Walcott added that Gabe and Jayden are helping shift the school culture toward generosity and community engagement. “These two young men are what Palmetto Ridge is about. They support their community. They support their fellow students.”
Expanding Impact Across Collier County
The students also led a project to support a local child at Christmas, collecting donations like clothes, games, and a bicycle. In another initiative, they gathered supplies for a women’s shelter.
Their leadership helped grow the PRHS student government from 20 to 110 members in just one year. “We promoted it a lot,” said Gabe. “I told people we would change everything: the games and the spirit of the school.”
Gabe, a senior president, and Jayden, a junior vice president, also play sports like baseball and pickleball, but giving back remains their top priority.
“Putting a smile on other people’s faces, that is what drives all of us,” Gabe said. “We have spirit within ourselves to help people who need it.”