Kiwanis Spotlights Foster Care Awareness Month

If you have been observing events here on Marco, you have seen the work local Kiwanis members devote to raising money for children’s initiatives: fundraising for Christmas gifts, a Texas Hold’em Tournament, a Car Show, a 5 K Run, etc. There is still another upcoming initiative and members of the community are invited, as always, to assist. 

All of the Collier County Kiwanis Clubs together are planning a special day in May with projects in support of Ana’s Friends (formerly Guardian ad Litem). The services Ana’s Friends provide to children and families in foster care can be seen on their website www.anasfriends.org, but in summary, they serve “abused, neglected, and abandoned kids in Southwest Florida.” One of the many ways Ana’s staff does this is by stockpiling resources that children or families in their care might need. For example, children’s clothes, personal hygiene products, comfort items such as teddy bears, dolls, crayons, coloring books, school supplies, etc.

The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island has been tasked with collecting and raising funds for School and Art Supplies. Community members can assist in this venture by simply purchasing some quality school or art supplies and dropping them off at the Chamber of Commerce, 1102 North Collier Blvd., open 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. Or a donation can be made for their purchase. Donations should be payable to the Kiwanis Club of Marco Island and sent to PO Box 2041, Marco Island FL 34146. Please mark Ana’s Friends on the check. 

All donated supplies should be received at the Chamber office no later than April 30, 2024. This is in preparation for a Foster Care celebration day, May 4, Noon – 4 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Naples, 6630 Immokalee Road. ALL ARE INVITED. 

Please consider assisting in this effort on behalf of the children that your Kiwanian neighbors work for, with no volunteer labor required on your part. Local businesses are encouraged to participate collectively in an effort that could result in one larger donation to this most worthwhile cause. Foster children in Florida are in need, and while most of us cannot open our homes to care for a child, this is one way to assist those who do.