Naples Children & Education Foundation
- - The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) was established in 2000 with the vision of making a profound and sustaining difference in the lives of children in Collier County.
    About The NCEF
- - Explore the Naples Children & Education Foundation
  - - Foundation Trustees
    - 7 Strategic Initiatives
    - Grant Recipients
    - Make a Donation
- Close
Naples Winter Wine Festival
- - NWF 2026 Logo
    The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans. This ranking by the Luxury Institute is based on exclusivity, quality and prestige.
    About the Festival
- - Explore the Naples Winter Wine Festival
  - - 2025 Vintners
    - 2025 Chefs
    - 2025 Sommeliers
    - 2025 Auction Lots
- Close
News & Galleries
- - Press Inquiries
    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
    239-325-2972
    
    Clay ConePR Consultant, Cone Communications
    239-398-9268
    For the press
- - Explore Our News & Galleries
  - - Mar. 182025
      NCEF awards over $34M to nearly 50 non-profits in Collier County
    - Mar. 182025
      A record year of grants by Naples Children & Education Foundation: $34 mill...
    more updates
- Close
Donate

In the News & Press

make a donation

Nov. 052019

LV 9

Happy Mother's Day from all of us at NCEF! 💐 To

Happy Mother's Day from all of us at NCEF! 💐 Today we celebrate the incredible strength, love and dedication of mothers everywhere — especially those shaping brighter futures for our children every day. 💖 #MothersDay

Did you know that 1 in 10 children under the age o

Did you know that 1 in 10 children under the age of 5 experience mental health challenges?
Experts point to trauma as a common risk factor—whether it’s experienced directly by the child or passed on through their environment. Trauma experienced by a mother during pregnancy can impact early development, and other forms of early adversity can shape a child’s emotional and behavioral health for years to come.
Early intervention and support are essential to building resilience and helping our youngest children thrive. Mental health starts at the very beginning.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, The Great Gatsby. 🎭 Hosted by: Kathy & Dan Mezzalingua with Carol & John Walter at the home of Sandra & Alan Gerry. Vintners: Ariel & Christopher Jackson of Stonestreet Estate Vineyards in Healdsburg, California. Chefs: Douglas Keane and Josh Gaulin of Cyrus in Geyserville, California. Party Planner: Pamela Beckman of BonSoiree.

Through the Mental Health Initiative, NCEF has uni

Through the Mental Health Initiative, NCEF has united key providers across Collier County to shift mental health care toward an integrated primary care model. This collaboration enhances service coordination and builds a true continuum of care—so no child falls through the cracks.
Whether through school referrals, primary care visits, direct patient outreach or partner connections, our providers are expanding access to mental health support for youth. Together, we’re creating a system where no young person feels alone or unheard when struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges.
We’re especially grateful to our Mental Health Initiative partners—@davidlawrencecenters Golisano Children’s Hospital @gch_swfl Healthcare Network @healthcareswfl and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital @nicklaus4kids —for their ongoing collaboration and commitment to the mental wellness of Collier County’s youth.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #support #youth #community

41.2% of Collier County middle and high school stu

41.2% of Collier County middle and high school students report feeling depressed or sad most days over the past year—a powerful indicator of the mental health crisis facing our youth.
Even more alarming, 12.8% of middle school students say they have made a suicide plan, and 14.1% have seriously considered attempting suicide.
These numbers reflect the growing emotional challenges many students face due to academic pressure, social media, trauma and lack of access to care. It's a call to action for our community to prioritize early intervention, accessible mental health services and support systems in schools and beyond.
#NCEF #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #community #services #collaboration #CollierCounty

Together, we can ensure that every child grows up

Together, we can ensure that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment, where they can thrive and reach their full potential. It’s ALL for the Kids.

Halfway to the weekend, fully into the wine. Happy

Halfway to the weekend, fully into the wine. Happy #WineWednesday !

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Celebrate the Journey. Hosted by: Anne Welsh McNulty with Beth & Jeff Wessel. Vintner: Giovanni Gaja of GAJA in Barbaresco, Italy. Chef: David Nayfeld of Che Fico in San Francisco, California. Photographer: @luminairefoto
Vintner: #gajawinery
Chef:@chefico
Planning | Design: @margaretevents
Florals: @tomtrovatoeventfloraldesign
Entertainment: @somethingmajorband
Rentals: @party_time_rentals_naples
Paper Suite: @thepapermerchant
Cheers!

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children provides s

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children provides safety, intervention, education and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence. With NCEF’s support, their Primary Prevention programs are creating a future where children and youth learn to build peaceful, nonviolent relationships.
Through programs like Raising Gentle’men (RG), boys are taught that strength comes from compassion, not control. Teen Programs empower middle and high school students to recognize abuse, understand healthy relationships and create safety plans. The Hands Are for Helping Program, featured in these images, educates the community, shifts mindsets and reduces the likelihood of future violence by fostering lasting behavioral change.
By investing in prevention, education and awareness, we can help stop the cycle before it starts.

From lavish travels to unique dining experiences a

From lavish travels to unique dining experiences and superb wine collections, the numbers generated during the 25-year history of the Naples Winter Wine Festival all add up to success for the most vulnerable children in Collier County. Figures compiled from the Festival’s first quarter century tell the story of generous giving with maximum impact. It’s ALL for the Kids!
#NCEF #NaplesFL #CollierCounty

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s N

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Destiny Decanted: Celebrating 25 Years of Vintage Moments. ✨ Hosted by: Simone & Scott Lutgert with Joan & Bob Clifford. Vintners: Ann Colgin & Joe Wender of Colgin Cellars in St. Helena, California. Chef: Josiah Citrin of@melisserestaurant and @citrinla in Santa Monica, California. Cheers!

More than 15 million children in the U.S. have exp

More than 15 million children in the U.S. have experienced domestic violence in their homes, putting them at greater risk of repeating the cycle—either by entering abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. Boys who witness their mother being abused are 10 times more likely to abuse their partners as adults, while girls raised in abusive homes are six times more likely to experience sexual abuse.
The impact doesn’t stop there—children who experience or witness violence face a higher risk of mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, as well as long-term health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
No child should have to grow up in fear. By raising awareness, providing resources, and supporting survivors, we can break the cycle and create a safer future for all children.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildAdvocacy #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #BreaktheCycle #support