boys with cart at St.Matthew's
1. Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue Inc. • 239-434-7480 • http://www.brookeslegacyanimalrescue.org
Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue saves adoptable pets from euthanasia at the kill shelters and places them in permanent, loving homes.
Children 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.
2. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County • 239-775-0036 • http://habitatcollier.org
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.
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.
3. Meals of Hope • 239-537-7775 • mealsofhope.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.
Children of all ages can participate with their parents at a food packing event in their local church, school, association and other club and service organization.
4. St. Matthew’s House • 239-774-0500 • www.stmatthewshouse.org
St. Matthew’s House provides housing for the homeless, food for the needy and structured prevention and recovery programs.
Children can help parents pack groceries in the food pantry and can also hold fundraising events and donation drives in their school or neighborhood.
5. Youth Haven • 239-774-2904 • 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.
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.