In This Issue

SERVING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Greetings!  

Welcome to the first edition of our redesigned Catholic Charities E-News. We hope you enjoy our new look. All of our regular features still remain in our e-newsletter. You will continue to have the opportunity to learn about what is happening at Catholic Charities through stories and information about our programs and services, volunteers, donors, appeals, wish list, events and more. You will notice when you click on a link in this newsletter that our web site also displays our new look!

Special Cards
Boca Grande--"Thank you for protecting our country! God bless you!" is the message on the valentines made by the children of the Boca Grande Child Care Center. The children at the Catholic Charities program are one to five years of age and created the special cards as a way of showing kindness and appreciation for our soldiers and veterans. Valentines were sent to 125 active duty soldiers and 100 veterans in the hospital. Link>>

Volunteer Spotlight

Power Pack
Naples--Students at Barron Collier High School and parishioners of St. Finbarr Catholic Church donated thousands of healthy snacks to the Weekend Power Pack Food Program of Catholic Charities in Collier County. The program provides homeless elementary students living in Collier County with food to sustain them through the weekend when school meals are not available. Link>>

Duck Contest
Fort Myers--For the third consecutive year, students in the AFCAAM After-School Reading Program participated in the Ding Darling Jr. Duck Stamp Art Contest. Each student in the Catholic Charities program prepared an original drawing of a species of duck of their choice. Students were required to research their ducks using on line resources and print materials from the Lee County Public Library system. The contest provides the students an opportunity to explore the wonders of the outdoor world and their connection to waterfowl, wetlands and habitat conservation. Link>>

Homebuyer Class
Bradenton--Catholic Charities was awarded a grant for $3,000 from the Manatee Community Foundation for the First Time Homebuyer Class. Due to demand, twice as many classes are now being offered to the community. Over 100 people have participated in the First Time Homebuyer Class since October 2013. Link>>

Book Drive
Sarasota--The students at St. Martha Catholic School conducted a book drive for the programs and services of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) organized the school-wide event. Over 1,200 books were collected and will be used for Catholic Charities clients. Link>>