Naples Children & Education Foundation
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      Naples Winter Wine Festival Set to Return for Another Amazing Weekend of Food, W...
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In the News & Press

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Jan. 192017

Maria Jimenez-Lara on Masterminds

Hear what makes Maria Jimenez-Lara, CEO of NCEF successful.

We are beyond excited to introduce the 2026 NWWF c

We are beyond excited to introduce the 2026 NWWF co-chairs! Nena and Bill Beynon and Ashley and Adam Gerry. Both couples are well-known community supporters who have actively participated in the past several Festivals.
Originally from West Virginia, Nena and Bill Beynon have been full-time residents of Naples since 1998. The Beynons have been actively involved in many non-profit organizations since moving to Naples. The couple attended their very first NWWF in 2016 and fell in love with the mission of the organization. They are experienced as chairs of the NWWF for several prior Festivals.
Ashley and Adam Gerry moved to Naples in 2003 and have been generous patrons of the NWWF since 2011. They joined NCEF as Trustees in 2023. Ashley has served on the Online Auction Committee and is currently on the Board of Directors. Adam currently serves on the Grant Committee.
We are honored to have such a seasoned team of advocates for change!

Save the Date! The Naples Children & Education Fou

Save the Date! The Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is thrilled to announce that that the NWWF will return for its 26th annual celebration featuring some of the world’s very best wines, food and unforgettable travel experiences from January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026 at @ritzcarltonnaplestiburon
This year’s theme “Picture This” reflects the NCEF’s mission of transforming the lives of children in need. It is a call to imagine and to believe in what is possible when compassion meets action. The theme challenges Festival supporters, vintners, chefs and donors to picture the impact their generosity can have in creating a world of endless futures for children in our community. Here’s to 26 years of generosity! 🍷Click the link in our bio to read the full Press Release. #NWWF26

As the school year wraps up, it’s important to k

As the school year wraps up, it’s important to keep kids engaged, learning and having fun to avoid the summer slide. Enrolling children in enriching summer programs helps maintain academic progress and builds social-emotional skills during the break.
Thanks to support from NCEF, a variety of local programs are available through partners like Avow Kids @avowcares Boys & Girls Club of Collier County @bgccollier Conservancy of Southwest Florida @conservancyswf and YMCA of Collier County @ymcanaples@ymcamarco
For even more options, check out the @neapolitan_family_magazine 2024 Summer Camp Guide. For summer resources beyond camps, visit the Summer & School Break Programs page on @colliercares
Let’s make this summer one of growth, exploration and fun! ☀❤

Happy Friday! t’s almost time to #Winedown 🍷

Happy Friday! t’s almost time to #Winedown 🍷 We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Today is International Water Safety Day—a powerf

Today is International Water Safety Day—a powerful reminder that drowning is 100% preventable, yet 88% of drownings occur with at least one adult present. This shouldn’t be the case.
Prevention starts with awareness and action. By following the Layers of Protection, a multi-strategy approach designed to create barriers between children and water hazards, we can dramatically reduce the risk. These layers work together to provide increased security and peace of mind for families—especially during the busy summer months.
Learn more about how to keep your loved ones safe around water this season by visiting the Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition at @safehealthychildren
Let’s make safety a priority—because every life matters.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #InternationalWaterSafetyDay #WaterSafety #DrowningPrevention

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

Today we are featuring one of this past year’s NWWF Vintner Dinners, Shining Stars ✨ Hosted by: Kathy & Andy Moock with Karen & Dale Medford Vintners: Kary & David R. Duncan of Silver Oak in Oakville, California Chef: Elliot Bell of Charlie's in St. Helena, California. Party planner: Lisa Resch of Carolina Catering Company. Cheers! 🥂

Early intervention is crucial when it comes to tre

Early intervention is crucial when it comes to treating mental health challenges in young children. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the chances for long-term success in a child’s emotional, social and academic development.
That’s exactly the kind of work our Mental Health Initiative partners @fsucom Center for Child Stress & Health, Healthcare Network @healthcareswfl @namicolliercounty and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital @nicklaus4kids are doing. Through identifying concerns early through pediatric well visits, targeted screenings and developmental assessments our partners are meeting children where they are, laying the foundation for healthier futures and stronger starts.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #EarlyIntervention

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