All wrapped up

This time around, Nicki Davis bent the rules. Normally, her annual Joy of Giving project aims to provide parents of area underprivileged children with the means to buy them real Christmas presents.

Gifts like teddy bears, bikes, dolls and portable stereo players — items that more fortunate children take for granted. But a week before the big event — which was held Dec. 16 at K Mart just off the island — Davis was literally stopped in her tracks.

One of the teachers from the six benefiting schools told her that all the four young family siblings wanted for Christmas were separate beds to sleep in.

"They'd been sharing," said a visibly moved Davis, who made an instant decision.

"They're getting their beds," said Davis, "but they're also getting a load of Christmas presents just like all the other children as well."

Equally touched for another reason was Island Country Club volunteer Karen Blackwell. She was approached by a woman asking if laundry soap was permissible with the voucher money.

"It wasn't," said Blackwell, "but I told her: 'when you come outside to get your turkey from the Island Country Club, your soap will be there.'"

Underprivileged children wanting something functional for a gift is nothing new to Davis and her team of volunteers, who for the past 18 years have made the Joy of Giving an indelible annual Marco Island event.

Some would ask for shoes, others for clothes, and only as an afterthought would they consider asking for fun gifts, Davis said.

In the early days, Davis — with the backing of the then-Coldwell Banker McFadden & Sprowls real estate company staff — decided against secret Santa gifts for each other in favor of helping a single needy family Davis had heard of.

This Christmas, the charity helped upwards of 300 families to the tune of at least $75,000.

Early Saturday, the families lined up outside the store off U.S. 41 and Collier Boulevard.

The atmosphere was quietly expectant, but once they were inside, their inherent joy as quite obvious.

"This is wonderful," said Eva Marinez, who found an electric child's motorcycle for her son. "I want to thank everyone so much."

After a frenetic few hours of overseeing the purchases and payments on behalf of the families, Davis took a breather outside.

"This is so representative of the great city of Marco," she said. "I cannot begin to thank contributors and helpers enough."

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Contributors and helpers Island Country Club (major sponsor)

Chief Roger Reinke

City Council members

Noontime Rotary Club

Marco Office Supply

Attorneys Glenn Tucker and Fred Kramer

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Janssen

Mr. and Mrs. Doug Herr

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Young

Marco Island Rotary Club

Autocraft

Brooke's Auto

A-Tech Auto

Capt. Brien's

Hoots

The Snook Inn

Kretch's

Island Kidz

Marco Island Rental Properties

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Sunbelt Lending Service

M&I Bank

McFarlands

Skin Renewals

MI Executive Services

RGB Internet

Tom Philps Enterprises

Island Mortgage

Florida Communications Consultants

Southern Comfort Air

Easy Come Easy Go

Salon Botanica

Rick's Island Salon

Dolphin Pools

Robert Bay Custom Homes

Design Masonry

Sunshine Lawn Care

Interiors Interiors Interiors

All Blind & More Inc.

Naples Bumper & Auto Body Supply

John and Nancy Hoey

Many Island individual donors