Thank-you letters: Feb. 29, 2004

Good deeds indeed

Editor, Naples Daily News:

On Saturday, Feb. 7, Cub Scout Field Day was held at the Collier County Junior Deputy Campground at the Florida Sports Park.

One hundred seventy-nine Cub Scouts from all over Collier County and their families enjoyed a day of Cub Scout activities and fun!

We would like to thank the Collier County Junior Deputy League and Capt. Tom Davis of the Collier County Sheriff's Office for allowing us to use the campground. It is a beautiful facility and we feel privileged to be able to use it.

Thanks also goes to Boy Scout troops 707, 165, and 2 for putting up their dining flys to protect us from the weather. We also appreciated Boy Scout Troop 505 who served as our lunch crew with their delicious hot dogs and beverages!

The event would not have been possible without the approximately 50 adults and Boy Scouts who served as our volunteer staff. Thanks to everyone who gave of their time and talents!

Many voices

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Planned Parenthood of Collier County would like to thank Kathleen Sullivan for donating her time and talents for our second lecture of our inaugural, public lecture series "The Many Voices of Women."

She is a population activist with the Sierra Club and serves as the Sierra Club Florida Chapter Population Issue Chair. In August 2003 she traveled with 12 other Sierra Club population activists to Ecuador as part of a study tour. In her presentation she discussed her trip to Ecuador and the family planning clinics there that have made the population/environment connection by assisting communities with both family planning and environmental programs, such as sustainable agriculture.

Relating the indigenous concept of the appropriate treatment and care of "mother earth" to women's reproduction (e.g., in both cases the need for adequate nutrition, protection and spacing) has been an effective way to link agricultural and reproductive-health themes in training processes with local participants.

For more information on the lecture series contact me at 262-8923.

New beginnings

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The Fresh Start for Abused Women Committee of the Community Foundation of Collier County would like to thank the supporters of our annual fund-raiser, "The Tanya Luncheons." Tanya Griffith, who does one-woman shows portraying famous women of history, performed at four luncheons as Erma Bombeck (twice), Eleanor Roosevelt and the Queen Mum.

Fresh Start is an all-volunteer, independent committee. The proceeds from the luncheons are used to make grants to Collier County women who have left an abusive situation and are ready to leave the shelter or other agency and need funds for "the next step."

Most of the grants are used for women who have a job and need additional financial aid to help ensure their ability to stay out of an abusive life. The grants might be used for education, rental deposit or a down payment on a car, for example.

We sincerely thank all of the people who attended these luncheons, our generous patron members and our luncheon underwriters: Richard and Susan Bolen, National City Trust Co. and Northern Trust Co.

40 years of service

Editor, Naples Daily News:

Banyan Title of Florida would like to extend a special "thank you" to the Immokalee Child Care Center for allowing us to be a part of its 40th anniversary. Everyone involved with the organization should be honored for their part in making it a fundamental success.

Heart as big as Texas

Editor, Naples Daily News:

We wish to sincerely thank Bill Freeman, general zoo curator of Caribbean Gardens, the Zoo in Naples, for the successful capture of Cleo, the Egyptian goose that graces our back yard with her beauty.

For some time she has had a sort of non-biodegradable rope tied around her leg, causing a deformed gait. After making many calls to many agencies, I decided to call the Zoo in Naples.

Mr. Freeman unselfishly donated his time to the cause of helping Cleo. Because of his patience and resolve, he was able to capture Cleo and cut away the rope from her pink leg.

The genuine concern he has for our animal friends is quite evident and we here in Naples are indeed very fortunate to have him. High five to Bill Freeman!

Huge success

Editor, Naples Daily News:

We would like to thank all those who made the Third Annual Poker Walk for Parkinson's Disease a huge success.

The wonderful committee of Sue Chandler of Caretenders Home Health, Linda Krajewski of Medical & Sports Rehab Center, and Stephanie Riggle of Almost Family Home Health worked many days and long hours.

We also thank Life Care Center of Estero, Caretenders Home Health, Medical & Sports Rehab Center, Almost Family Home Health, Maxim Home Health, Millennium House, Osterhout & McKinney, P.A., United Home Care Service and Vineyards Community Center.

A standing ovation goes to Dr. John Kroubalkian for collecting the most money. Jean Williams gave the largest personal donation. Last but not least, we thank the walkers who participated and helped raise approximately $5,000 for Parkinson's research at the National Parkinson Foundation in Miami.

We look forward to another successful Poker Walk for Parkinson's Disease in 2005.

Bravo

Editor, Naples Daily News:

As new visitors to Naples we want to voice our appreciation for the kindness shown to us by Michael Wainstein of Naples Dinner Theatre. While we were attending the show, our auto got a flat tire. Michael arranged for road service, guided the helpers when they arrived and followed up with us to ensure we were OK.

As artistic director, this doesn't fall into his job description. He was just being a great guy. His attitude certainly sets the tone for a wonderful vacation in Naples.

'Search and Save'

Editor, Naples Daily News:

The Naples Senior Squadron Civil Air Patrol FLWG 023 wishes to thank the Jim Wexell family, new owners of The Byte Shop of Naples, for their generous gift of two computers.

These computers will be used for aerospace education and by the Naples Senior Squadron communications office.

The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.

It receives some funding as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, but relies heavily on community support to sustain most of its programs and maintain its equipment.

Some of these programs include flight training for Civil Air Patrol pilots and training in air and ground search and rescue. As part of homeland security, the Naples Civil Air Patrol Florida Wing 023 is proud to stand by its motto: "Search and Save."