Description
The Red Kettle Campaign served 9,132 needy Collier County residents with holiday toys, gifts, and food baskets. Although the Naples Corps is most visible with the tinkling bells and bright red kettles, the work of helping those in need continues throughout the year. Need knows no season is evidenced in people who come to seek emergency assistance. During 2006, The Salvation Army Emergency Social Services assisted 7,864 Collier County residents with food, clothing, rent, utilities and medical expenses. These people come from every nationality, race, color and creed. Because of the outpouring of this community, these people have a place to turn to in times of temporary economic hardships. The Salvation Army assists these people and helps to prevent hunger and homelessness in this community.
The Salvation Army Child Care Center offers a significant impact in Collier County by serving the youngest among us. The Child Care Center, licensed by Department of Children & Families, offers high quality, affordable child-care. Eighty children, ages 1-5, engage in academic, moral, social and physical developmental activities within a tender, loving environment.
The need of employed residents in Collier County for affordable child-care ranks just slightly behind the need for affordable housing. In response, The Salvation Army subsidizes the high cost of operation to ease the burden of child-care for families in the workforce to achieve and/or maintain economic stability. Financial support from the community is vital to this program. Funds are urgently needed.
The Salvation Army Summer Camp provides 8 weeks of enriching learning experiences for 45 children. The program offers field trips, community presenters, arts and crafts, outdoor recreational activities, and strong character-building activities. Lunches and two snacks a day are part of the program. The After-School Program transports 45 students to the Corps from area schools for snacks, tutoring, arts and crafts, and recreational activities. This program is a safe-haven for children who might be found home alone after school.
The Salvation Army addresses needs through Disaster Relief Services. The Naples canteen stands in a state of readiness to feed 500 people three meals within two hours of a disaster call. Volunteers are needed. Other programs include Seniors Club, Bikes for Work, Backpacks for School, Youth Groups, Canned Food Drive , Thanksgiving Baskets and the Christmas Cheer Program.
