CHAPTER 203
Caught in the Act of Kindness - November 2025
Celebrating individuals, groups and organizations that share their time, talent and treasure to meet the needs in our community.
“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.” ~ Helen James
Charity for Change’s reimagined “Planting Seeds of Humanity” gala welcomed a sold-out crowd at the Naples Grande Beach Resort on Nov. 1, raising more than $400,000 to support the nonprofit’s Character Education and Mental Wellness Program for elementary students. The western-themed event featured interactive games, live auctions and entertainment by the Ben Allen Band. Charity for Change highlighted its growing impact, now reaching over 25,500 students across 451 Florida schools and 20 states nationwide. The Humanity Hero Award was presented to Brigid Soldavini for her exceptional dedication to fostering resilience, empathy and generosity in children.
Collier Community Foundation marked its 40-year anniversary with $650,000 in surprise grants presented at the Celebration of Philanthropy, benefitting The Naples Players, Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Healthcare Network, YMCA of Collier County, and Meals of Hope.
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Courtesy of Youth Haven
Naples Children Foundation granted $450,000 to Youth Haven to help strengthen its therapeutic programming, which supports children and teens in crisis.
STOCK Development’s Backyard Bash raised $272,000 in support of Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples’ Access-for-All initiative.
Sizzle Dining served up a record number of meals, raising $87,483 for Blessings in a Backpack, to provide nutritional food to food-insecure elementary students.
Heaven Scent Flowers and Boutique in Bonita Springs participated in the Society of American Florists’ annual Petal It Forward event, spreading joy by giving out 500 bouquets — two to each recipient, one to keep and one to give away — with the simple goal of making the world smile.
Collier Community Foundation granted $50,000 and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation granted $35,000 to Fun Time Early Childhood Academy in support of early learning tuition assistance. Additionally, Christ Child Society of Naples granted $15,000 to the nonprofit to support the purchase of essential classroom materials and supplies.
President/CEO, Champions For Learning, Dr. Eric Williams; Educator, Sabal Palm Elementary; Suncoast Credit Union, Alane Liming, Alfonso Mancini
The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning awarded 293 classroom grants to 205 individual educators across the county, totaling $200,000.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament raised nearly $186,000 in support of its water quality research and education program.
Jason Cooper, Bob DiPiero, Mitch Vanderhagen, Tyler Hubbard, Carter Hamric, Craig Wiseman and Armando Hernandez
The inaugural Nash to Naples Songwriter Showcase and Auction raised $50,000 for Home Base Florida and Hacienda of Hope to support veterans, military families and children in need.
Collier Community Foundation granted $30,000 to Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL, to provide consistent, monthly access to essential menstrual products for an estimated 483 women and girls in Collier County.
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation granted $15,000 to Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida to fund the creation of a therapeutic sensory room, providing children with a safe and calming environment.
Senior Friendship Centers Foundation granted $25,000 to David Lawrence Centers to support veterans over the age of 60 with mental health and substance use challenges.
AdventHealth granted $10,000 to Help A Diabetic Child to cover the cost of life-saving insulin, diabetes medical supplies and physician visits for children in need.
Collier Community Foundation granted $15,000 to Naples Art District to fund a collaborative events coordinator position for its 2026 season, which marks the organization’s 20th anniversary.
Business professionals, educators and community leaders gathered at Guadalupe Center’s Leadership Day to provide students with the opportunity to learn from their stories, insights, practical advice and interactive workshops.
The Tommy Bohannon Foundation gifted $4,880 to Pathways Birdies, Pathways to Opportunity's golf club, for individuals with disabilities enabling the purchase of a practice putting green and golf simulator.
Christopher Alan Homes hosted an arts and craft supply drive in support of Golisano Children’s Hospital Child Life Services department, which engages children in creative and therapeutic play to help them feel more at ease.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation donated $350,000 to Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Care and Share Senior Feeding Program to provide nutritious meals to low-income seniors.
For consideration in Caught in the Act of Kindness, email an example of how an individual, group or organization went above and beyond to help those in need to inspireme@ebellamag.com. Please include a related high-resolution photo as well.
