“Meet the Kids” day held for Naples Winter Wine Festival

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- The Naples Winter Wine Festival is giving kids in Collier County the ability to dream big! Friday, the trustees met the kids who benefit from their generosity, and got a look at the charitable programs they are helping.

Elizabeth Skare credits the St. Matthew’s House for helping her back on her feet. She has been faced with financial problems that haven’t made life easy.

“I know we are the right track to be who we are and where we need to be for our children,” said Skare.

She says St. Matthew’s House has given them a new, stable start. Her life defines the motto of today’s event, ‘Imagine the Possibilities.’

“One of the important things for me is they helped me get son into day care full time and an after school program for my daughter, so I can get out there and look for a job,” Skare told WINK News.

The organization is one of the beneficiary’s of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, put on by the Naples Children and Education Foundation. Last year, St. Matthew’s House was given a $40,000  grant to help with keep up their programs.

“I don’t know them, and they don’t know us or anybody else that needs these, and they are offering their money, time and services.”

Around 200,000 under-privileged or at risk children in Collier County directly benefit. Friday, trustees got to meet the kids they are helping. Some took selfies to capture the moment.

“We love doing this for the children’s charities. There are so many of them, they are so enthralled with this county, it’s wonderful to be able to participate to the welfare of children,” said trustee Sharon Hallberg.

The kids put in a lot of work preparing for their special meet and greets. They made charms to give to each of the trustees as a keepsake from the day, and some even put on a special performance for their new friends.

“It’s amazing that folks come out like this to get the hands on instead of simply writing a check and never seeing the results,” said Bradi Allen.