Thank-you letters: Nov. 23, 2003

Bouncing off the walls

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Each year we usually take our leftover Halloween candy to the NCH North Naples pediatrics ward for the kids who couldn't go out to enjoy, but this year we were swamped with trick-or-treaters and had absolutely nothing left over.

So my wife, Jenni, who works at the new Walgreen's at the corner of Immokalee Road and U.S. 41, and I were talking about the amount of candy that Walgreen's doesn't sell and perhaps they would donate it to the kids.

She talked to her store manager, Scott Anderson, about it. He agreed.

The kids at NCH are going to be bouncing off the walls for weeks.

I delivered it. The amount was substantial.

I know the kids and parents will enjoy the generosity of Scott and Walgreen's.

As long as there are people like Jenni and Scott the spirit of Halloween will live on.

Building, praying

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I am the mother of Henry Paniccia, the boy who was hit by the dump truck on Immokalee and Livingston roads.

What started out as a total tragedy for our family has been eased by our generous and caring community, enabling me to concentrate on Henry's healing process.

During the three months Henry was in the hospital in Tampa, friends and acquaintances as well as total strangers were here in Naples organizing, attending and contributing to benefits, as well as heartily praying.

Our home was even remodeled, not only to make it handicap-accessible but beautiful as well, by so many hard-working, generous contractors and their employees.

Our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful, caring community.

God bless you all.

Good people to know

Editor, Naples Daily News:

We parents and friends of the developmentally disabled adults in the area say thanks to recent efforts to celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving (a few weeks early, but a turkey dinner is always a treat).

Halloween featured a great party at the Glades Country Club, hosted by Friends of the Developmentally Disabled members Joe and Aurora Whalen. Prizes were given for appropriate costumes and all the guests danced and enjoyed the excellent party food.

A Turkey Trot, hosted by FODD members George and Dot Park, was a delightful occasion thanks to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church women.

Joe Anthony tended the turntable; he is a pro and knows what music turns toes to tapping. Marilyn Thomas and her Lutheran Church women offer great hospitality to our group annually and I thank them for their expertise.

They feed us well and give us a warm welcome. Good people to know.

Again, many thanks.

Wherever you are ...

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On Friday, Nov. 14, about 1:15 p.m. my car stalled on U.S. 41 East at Bayshore Drive. I was in the center lane. Needless to say, I was quite upset.

A young man came to my rescue and pushed the car to the Mobil station. After a while, the car started and I was able to get the car to a garage on Airport-Pulling Road.

In my frustration, I didn't get the name of my guardian angel.

I stopped at the station the other day to see if he worked there, but no one knew him.

Please accept my sincerest thanks for your help.

Flying high

Editor, Naples Daily News:

I would just like to say thank you to all who volunteered for the Naples Aviation Day.

I appreciate what Naples is doing for its youth. I think the event is a great learning experience and also enables kids and adults to see and do something that they haven't seen or done before. I got to ride in a 1929 plane for free.

I have never been in a plane in my whole life and I thought it was great! I had the best time ever.

I also got to see some of the old and new fighter jets and other unique planes and helicopters.

The event was really worth it. I hope in time we can do more events like this one.

Well done

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The ladies of the USS Indiana Reunion Association compiled a cookbook four years ago to earn money for the World War II Memorial being planned in Washington, D.C.

The cookbook was an instant success resulting in a second printing, where an additional 130 recipes were added.

The ladies of the USS Indiana are the spouses of those who served aboard the battleship BB-58 in World War II in the South Pacific. These veteran shipmates meet annually in cities all over the United States. The recipes, therefore, were from all over the continental United States.

At my request, Daily News food editor Linda Gordon featured the cookbook, "Treasures from the Galley." Several cookbooks were sold as a result.

We are writing now to thank you for your help in publicizing the book and to advise that the purpose for which the book was published has been attained. A check for $2,000 is being forwarded to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., from the USS Indiana Reunion Association.

That's a wrap

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On behalf of the board and staff of the Marco Island Film Festival, we extend a huge thank you for your overwhelming support of our sixth annual event. Your generosity helped make this year an amazing success. Festival guests continue to praise the island for our "first class" hospitality.

The festival was blessed this year with amazing community support. We had city officials driving around filmmakers; real estate companies, hotels and owners donating private residences; volunteers donating many hours of time and talent; media covering each and every event; audiences buying tickets and filling nearly every seat; florists donating fabulous arrangements; 42 restaurants generously donating incredible food; and many new and returning sponsors who have shown outstanding community leadership. You met all our expectations!

Your community support is greatly appreciated and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Teamwork

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On behalf of the varsity football coaches and players at Barron Collier High School, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Carrabba's Italian Grill and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill (Airport-Pulling and Pine Ridge roads) for the delicious pregame dinners they prepared for our team every week this season.

Such generous support from our community is what makes living in Naples so great.

Thanks also to all the parents who helped pick up dinners, serve and clean up afterwards. I couldn't have done it without you all.