Allyson Rae, the most recognized member of the LVCC board and NBC News Chief Meteorologist, graciously presided over the fashion show at Windstar on Naples Bay on January 17th, that offered many beautiful and affordable looks. While Allyson spoke winningly about the clothes, the models strutted their stuff and had fun, wending through the tables of friends at Windstar, showing off the elegant threads. Tables of jewelry were laden with items that were also available for silent auction. A featured trip to NBC Studios was also up for bid. The sartorial show was for a great cause: the LVCC Adult and Family Literacy Programs.

We raised an amazing $ 23,000, thanks especially to our fashion show partner, Petunias of Naples, and to the many generous and great-hearted sponsors of the event. Special thanks to PNC, the major event sponsor. Thanks also to these sponsors: the models, the Jackler family, Bill and Jackie Mears (founder), Peter and Mary Zimmerman (he the LVCC Board President), Custer Construction, American Property Management Services, Kelso Huffman and Huffman Wealth Advisory, Bond, Schoeneck and King, Attorneys, Naples Best Addresses, Caple Landscape Management, Elaine Sulat of Bangles and Beads and Teresa Kolar of Sweet Mare Studio. The irreplaceable Jackie Mears, who has been putting this exposition on for 4 years, is a resident of Windstar, and secured the location and rallied the models, also Windstar residents and friends.

Those benefiting from the LVCC programs are: adults and families seeking better English language skills, to have better lives for themselves and their children. Yuliya Terletskaya, the guest speaker and one of the the beneficiaries of LVCC programs, spoke movingly: "[The Children and Family] Program is so helpful, because it allowed my son to learn, play and feel safe. He loves the songs before and after the reading." The audience was inspired to see their contributions at work.

The Literacy Volunteers of Collier presented flowers to host Allyson Rae and a rose to each model. The models were both sponsors and models, and they were: Joy Buck, Liz Freher, Sandy Keeler, Marilynn Kempf, Jill Kenyon, Lee Kraus, Jo Maeder, Wendy Needham, Shelly Plakans and Bonnie Slobodien. We thank them, and we thank each of you, who donated your time, money, clothes, jewelry and venue, in service to LVCC and to your community.

Shoshanna Dorfman, LVCC’s Director of Children and Family Programs, took two deserving children from the Children and Parents Reading Together (CPRT) program to “Meet the Kids Day” held at Artis-Naples, sponsored by NCEF and the Winter Wine Festival. The children were dressed (with only a little help from their moms) as a nurse and an architect, their future careers of choice. To complete their journey into the future, they even had business cards to hand out to visitors. Patrons of LVCC who visited the booth sat down and read books with them. Reading together is the whole focus of the CPRT program in which the students are enrolled. Meet the Kids Day was a fun day for the kids and a great opportunity for our generous donors to interact firsthand with the kids who benefit so much from the donations. 

The 2020 Winter Wine Festival, sponsored by the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) and held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, raised an astronomical $20 million, and a whopping $212 million since its inception. All for the purpose of raising money for Collier County children. Thirty worthy programs in Collier County were chosen to receive grants from the festival, and the fortunate Literacy Volunteers of Collier County (LVCC) was one of them.

A grant of $60,000 was awarded to LVCC, for the Children and Parents Reading Together (CPRT) Program, which augments what the child learns in school. It also elevates the parent, cultivating parental involvement in the child's education. CPRT serves both pre-k 4/5-year-olds and pre-K preparation for 3-year-olds. These programs are delivered through a joint effort with Collier County public schools.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This quote by Mahatma Ghandi illustrates the reason why we can do what we do: you. The Literacy Volunteers of Collier County wants to thank the board members, donors, volunteers, tutors, staff and ambassadors, for all you do for the students, for the organization, and for the community, at large. LVCC could not continue without your ongoing support.

Peter Zimmermann, LVCC Board President, first addressed the audience and gave special thanks to Chris Nind, the previous Executive Director. Chris has moved on to his new role as Development Executive (Fundraising). Peter also gave thanks to all those serving LVCC. Chris made his final plea for Give Where You Live, asking if those present could give perhaps a little more for such a good cause that changes people's lives.

Susan Spry, LVCC's illustrious new Executive Director, welcomed the crowd to the Annual Appreciation Breakfast, and thanked "all those who work tirelessly to keep LVCC going." She asked attendees to send in success stories of the people they tutor. We would like to feature some of them on our website. Please continue giving in the way you have been. Your time is precious, we know, and we would not be here, without you.