Help Make Christmas for Local Families

Each year the Marco Island Kiwanis Club makes sure that all children at Manatee Elementary School receive Christmas gifts. We focus on all students in this school because it has a very high poverty rate. Over 70% of the children at Manatee are identified as coming from families that are economically needy. We also try to ensure that staff-selected students from families with low incomes at Tommie Barfield Elementary School on Marco Island receive gifts. Believe it or not, about 32% of students at Tommie Barfield are also identified as economically needy.

The fiscal support coming from residents that help to make this venture a success is a significant part of the budget that allows this to happen. In past years, presents supplied by the members of Marco Island’s Sail and Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club) helped out (and continue to help out) enormously. But additional funding ensures that Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus have something nice to hand each child as he or she whispers Christmas wishes. The smiles, and sometimes tears, expressed as the toy or game is clutched close by the child puts the joy and sparkle of the Season into each adult who is present.

We ask that members of our community please think about assisting us by helping to provide for the neediest among our local families. A check payable to the Kiwanis Club of Marco Island can be sent to PO Box 2041, Marco Island, FL 34146. Cash donations will, of course, help allow Kiwanians to continue to provide toys for Manatee students.   It will also help to ensure that Tommie Barfield staff-selected families have gift cards that will provide not just a happy Christmas morning, but also a special meal to enjoy later in the day.  

We appreciate all of the help extended in the past and thank our community members for considering support this year. Best wishes for a healthy, safe, and happy Holiday Season.