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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.
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    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.
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      Naples Children & Education Foundation Names Rosas as Festival Support ...
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Oct. 212013

Guest Commentary – A new way for more to help with our work

Naples Daily News read more

Oct. 182013

All Aboard the Vision Bus

WGCU Southwest Florida read more

Sep. 232013

Editorial: Wine festival scores a vintage victory with mobile eye clinic

Naples Daily News read more

Sep. 122013

Seeing is believing: Mobile eye lab makes its debut with plans to improve students vision

Naples Daily News read more

Sep. 102013

NCEF helps at-risk youngsters prepare for academic success

The Pinnacle read more

Sep. 102013

Vision Bus Makes First Stop at Lely High School – Photos

Naples Daily News read more

Sep. 092013

Community Calendar – Friends of the Foundation Chef Cook-Off

Florida Weekly read more

Sep. 092013

“Now You See It” Program stops at Lely High

NBC2 read more

Behind the scenes with our incredible NCEF volunte

Behind the scenes with our incredible NCEF volunteers etching this year’s NWWF wine glasses! 🍷✨ We’re getting ready for another unforgettable weekend of food, wine and fun! It’s ALL for the Kids!

Immokalee families now have access to vital health

Immokalee families now have access to vital healthcare—right in their own neighborhood.
The Naples Children & Education Foundation Wellness Center brings dental, vision, specialized therapies and behavioral analysis services under one roof—no long drives or missed workdays needed.
With support from partners like @ufdentistry @bascompalmereye @gch_swfl and @theableacademy STAR Initiative, care is offered in English, Spanish & Haitian Creole—because every child deserves access, regardless of their circumstances.
More than 600 families have already received care, with even more services to come.
Families can also visit the on-site @mealsofhope choice food pantry which offers nutritious groceries, diapers, baby food & more.
🎥 To learn more, watch NCEF CEO Maria Jimenez-Lara’s interview with FOX 4—link in bio!
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #WellnessCenter #Immokalee #ChildHealth #AccessToCare #CollierCounty #BlueprintPartners

🍷 Cheers to the Best! USA TODAY 10Best is spotl

🍷 Cheers to the Best! USA TODAY 10Best is spotlighting the top wine festivals in the country, and #NWWF is in the running! Voting is open now through Monday, July 21 at 11:59 AM — and you can vote once per day, every day. Click the link in our bio to cast your vote and help us take the top spot!

Big news for Collier County’s littlest learners!

Thank you to our dedicated NCEF volunteers for etc

Thank you to our dedicated NCEF volunteers for etching our NWWF wine glasses! The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to return for another amazing weekend of food, wine and fun from January 30 through February 1, 2026. We couldn’t do it without you! ❤

Children with vision impairments often face barrie

Children with vision impairments often face barriers that hold them back from everyday activities and special events. But that’s not the case for kids attending Lighthouse of Collier, a proud partner in our Vision Initiative.
Their daily programs empower youth who are blind or visually impaired to build independence through education, experiences and social connections. What makes @lighthouseofcollier truly special is their summer camp and field trips. These adventures include boat rides, visits to the zoo, trips to Disney World, and more, providing opportunities that many children might never experience otherwise. They show these kids that their vision does not limit their possibilities.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #VisionInitiative #BlueprintPartner

USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine in

USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of wine industry experts to find the best wine-centric celebrations in the U.S. 🍷 Vote for #NWWF as your favorite wine festival today!�Voting begins today at noon and ends on Monday, July 21st at 11:59am. You can vote every day once per day! Click the link in our bio to vote!

Among students in low-income schools or those at a

Among students in low-income schools or those at academic and behavioral risk, up to 85% have undetected or untreated vision problems. That’s why our partnership with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is so crucial.
As part of the Vision Initiative, @bascompalmereye provides vision screenings in Collier County’s low-income schools. When medically appropriate, children receive full eye exams and two pairs of glasses—one for home and one for school. If tertiary care is needed, children are referred to ophthalmologists for specialized treatment.
Since joining us in 2020, Bascom Palmer has conducted nearly 8,000 vision exams and distributed close to 11,000 pairs of glasses to students.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #BlueprintPartner #VisionInitiative

Naples Winter Wine Festival by the numbers! This y

Naples Winter Wine Festival by the numbers! This year’s #NWWF theme “Picture This” reflects the NCEF’s mission of transforming the lives of children in need. 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. It’s ALL for the Kids.

We are honored to announce that acclaimed Sonoma C

We are honored to announce that acclaimed Sonoma County Chef-Vintner Dustin Valette will be honored as Chef de Cuisine at the 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón.
Valette is the Chef-Owner of @valettehbg and @themathesonhbg and Owner of @valettewineshbg - As the Festival’s Chef de Cuisine, he will be recognized for his love of seasonality and distinctive culinary experiences which have earned him many accolades. Valette joins an impressive line-up of renowned vintners, chefs and featured sommeliers hailing from many regions, setting the stage for a weekend of unique, one-of-a-kind wine and culinary experiences! Please click the link in our bio to read the full press release.

In recognition of Child Vision Awareness Month, we

In recognition of Child Vision Awareness Month, we're highlighting just how critical clear vision is for learning and development.
Did you know 1 in 4 school-aged children need vision treatment? Vision problems are one of the most prevalent handicapping conditions in childhood. Failure to treat vision disorders in children can negatively affect academic readiness and significantly impact social and developmental health.
Since 80% of what we learn comes through visual processing, routine vision screenings are essential. Identifying and treating vision issues early can dramatically improve a child’s ability to learn, focus, and succeed in school and beyond.
We are incredibly grateful for our Vision Initiative partners—Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Florida Lions Eye Clinic and Lighthouse of Collier—whose collaboration has made it possible for thousands of children to access essential vision services.
#NCEF #itsALLforthekids #CollierCounty #ChildVisionAwarenessMonth #VisionInitiative

Help us welcome Diana Alas as our new Grants Compl

Help us welcome Diana Alas as our new Grants Compliance and Systems Coordinator. In this position, Alas will play a key role in ensuring that the foundation’s programs and funding initiatives align with compliance standards and continue to empower children in the community.
Alas graduated from the University of Florida. She honed her leadership and organizational skills as Secretary of the Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WECE) organization, where she led outreach programs encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Also, while in college, Alas gained experience via internships with GE Aviation and Bank of America.