FOCUS CHARITIES

Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.  You are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve as we provide support to the following charities:

A.N.A.'s Friends
BelieveNBooks
Better Together (added in 2026)
Blessings in a Backpack SWFL
Children's Advocacy Center of SWFL
Educational Pathways Academy
Eva's Foundation
Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation
The Immokalee Foundation
James Stephens Elementary School
Laces of Love
Valerie's House

 Your donation dollars at work during 2025:

A.N.A.’s Friendshttps://www.anasfriends.org/ received $15,000 to A.N.A.’s Comfort Closets program, providing new bedding, clothing, and other necessities.  A.N.A.'s Comfort Closet is not just a place filled with essential items for children in need but also serves as a symbol of compassion in action, providing a glimmer of light and a source of reassurance amidst the darkness.  It is a haven, a refuge where abused, neglected, and abandoned children can seek solace and support during their most vulnerable times.  The charity serves Abused Neglected and Abandoned children in Southwest Florida.  Formerly known as the Guardian ad Litem Foundation - 20th Judicial Circuit, A.N.A.’s Friends works tirelessly to provide these vulnerable young individuals with the support, care, guidance and resources they need to overcome adversity and build brighter futures.  Currently serving 2,000 children. 

BelieveNBookshttps://www.believenbooks.org/ received $17,500 to support the PAGETURNER program, which provides PRE-K and Kindergarten students with a backpack and ten books.  Our donation provided a total of 500 backpacks.  The program aims to foster early literacy skills and a love of reading among young children by ensuring they have access to quality books at home, helping to lay the foundation for future academic success and encouraging lifelong learning.  This organization is focused on donating books to children who do not have ready access to books, and partner with non-profit organizations to distribute books in Southwest Florida, focusing on Lee and Collier counties.

Blessings in a Backpack SWFLhttps://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/swfl-chapter/ received $26,250 in financial support directed to J. Colin English Elementary School ensuring 150 students have access to nutritious meals each weekend.  This organization helps fight childhood hunger by providing food on the weekends for school-aged children who might otherwise go without.  For a lot of kids, food is their most important school supply.  Because when kids have enough food, they do better in school.  At Blessings in a Backpack, kids have enough to eat over the weekend by sending them home with backpacks full of satisfying and nutritional food on Fridays, to help them return on Mondays ready to learn.

Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFLhttps://www.cac-swfl.org/what-is-a-childrens-advocacy-center/ received $15,000 for essential school supplies, such as backpacks and notebooks, along with self-care items like hygiene kits.  These resources help children feel prepared for school, boost their confidence, and ensure they have the necessities to succeed academically and personally as well as self-care items.  We also purchased 90 track suits at an approximate cost of $2,000 for the older teens as these children are sometimes the forgotten recipients.  The organization (CAC) is a child focused, trauma-informed organization that provides comprehensive services to children who have experienced abuse, neglect or child-human trafficking.  CAC provides a safe and nurturing space for children where they can share their stories so that they can heal and thrive with comprehensive support.

Educational Pathways Academy https://www.educationalpathwaysacademy.com/ received $13,850 to their scholarship fund, which provides tuition assistance to students needing financial assistance.  This private Christian school serves students in grades 1-12 with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, and auditory or visual processing disorders.  Because of their learning disabilities, these students process information differently.  They think and learn differently.  Therefore, at Educational Pathways Academy (EPA), they educate differently.  EPA provides an innovative program to strengthen students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.  A team of specialized educators, supported by a dedicated parent community, creates an environment where students can thrive.  

Eva’s Foundationhttps://www.evas-foundation.org/   received $20,500 to provide coats, blankets, food pantry items, car seats, and backpacks to those in need.  Additionally, Wildcat Run community members help organize and pack donated children’s clothing items monthly.  Lastly, in partnership with the Wildcat Run House Committee, a Giving Tree drive is held in December where community members donate wish list items.  This charity provides assistance to people in need due to homelessness, poverty and other risk factors in Southwest Florida.

Florida Drowning Prevention Inchttps://www.fldpf.org/ received $11,550 to provide swimming lessons to 55 kids in Lee or Collier County.  The Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation (FLDPF) was formed to help support non-profit drowning prevention initiatives, to educate adults and children about water safety, and to fund swim lessons, lifeguard training and water safety instructors.  This organization’s mission is to prevent childhood drowning by funding swim lessons, community water safety education, layers of protection, and to support Florida nonprofit drowning prevention organizations.

The Immokalee Foundationhttps://immokaleefoundation.org/received $4,500 toward the annual Holiday Drive initiative, ensuring each Immokalee child in kindergarten through second grade receives a book, toy, and ornament.  This organization empowers children and young adults to transform their futures.  Many of the students come from homes where English may not be their first language, and for them graduating high school is a high achievement.  The Foundation provides students with resources, confidence, and educational and career-building opportunities to follow career pathways unlocking their potential and opening doors to bright futures.

James Stephens Elementary School in Fort Myers https://jsa.leeschools.net/ received $30,000 supporting students with uniforms, sweatshirts, essential school supplies, food pantry resources, and assistance with field trip expenses.  This school serves children in a community which has a low-income rate with difficult family situations.

Laces of Love Charitable Foundationhttps://lacesoflove.org/ received $15,000 for the purchase and distribution of sneakers to 300 kids.  The mission of Laces of Love is to provide new shoes for low income and disadvantaged children in Collier and Lee Counties, and to educate the public on the needs of these children.  Donations (monetary and physical shoes) have made a real difference in the lives of these children.  The letters and thank you notes received tell the story of grateful children that are excited to have a brand-new pair of shoes that fit.

Valerie’s Househttps://valerieshouse.org/ received $5,000 as a sponsorship for Valerie’s House Summer Camp 2025 held in July.  Each day, about 50 grieving children and teens came together for five days of connection, healing, and laughter.  The 2025 Summer Camp was more than just a week of activities - it was a space where young people who have experienced loss could feel seen, supported, and safe, while making memories they’ll never forget.  Additionally, we provided and served dinner to 30 adults and 30 children during September as part of their Wednesday Family Night grief peer support program for children aged 5-18 and their caregivers.  During this time, a discussion about their person/people who have died is held and the groups create some fun activities for the kids to take home.  The charity works with children who have lost family members by providing counseling and support.  Valerie's House uses art and music to help children express and heal their pain.