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    News for Neapolitans

    Paddle season
    Main
    Paddle season
    Many nonprofits set records for fun, giving
    By Therese McDevitt terry.mcdevitt@naplespress.com 
    9 May 2025
    When it comes to holding up their auction paddles to raise money for nonprofits, Naples gala patrons are on a record-setting roll. It’s not just the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which set a new record in 2025 with $34 million raised for Naples Children and Education Foundation in support of nearly 50 area organizations. For perspective, the Met Gala — the hyper-glam fundraiser each May that supports the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City with the help of global celebrities and Vogue editor Anna Wintour — raised $26 million in 2024, which was a record to that time for the event. During what The Naples Press has dubbed “paddle season” in Naples — its own season-within-a-season filled with galas galore — many nonprofits set records this year, as well, with more than $45 million raised, listed here, that were held between November 2024 and March 2025. While this list is not exhaustive and focuses primarily on galas featuring auctions or fund-a-need paddle raises, with a few exceptions, it shows just how successful this season was for nonprofits supporting areas including the arts; children and education; health and community; seniors; social services; the environment; and nature and animals. Galas help bring nonprofit missions to life What is behind the money-raising magic that might make Wintour wonder just what is going on down here in Naples? How do local nonprofits bring their missions to life in ways that keep their donors dressing up, showing up and putting up those paddles again and again? For the American Heart Association, the need for more education and training around CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) was a big focus this year, according to Southwest Florida executive director Jessica Rodriguez. “What we are trying to do is build the chain of survival in Southwest Florida when it comes to cardiac arrest, because currently nine out of 10 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital, and in 90% of those cases, the victim dies because CPR is not being performed adequately or in a timely manner,” Rodriguez said. “Quite simply, not enough people know what to do or how to do CPR, so we’re trying to remove that barrier and really bring this education to the forefront in our community.” The focus on the importance of CPR was illustrated for the 550 guests at the organization’s Heart Ball, which raised a record $850,000, through the story of 7-year-old Oscar Stuebe. Oscar was hit in the chest by a baseball while playing; thanks to the quick actions of his mom, Sarah — who called 911 and performed CPR — his life was saved. There was not a dry eye in the house as Oscar and his family took the stage to thank supporters who make lifesaving efforts, training and technology possible for cardiac emergencies. “The most recent statistics for the state of Florida show that we lost a student athlete to cardiac arrest every three days, and in most of those cases it’s because somebody was not performing CPR o...

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    Naples ‘concerned’ about aviation safety
    Collier now
    NAPLES AIRPORT
    Naples ‘concerned’ about aviation safety
    By John Guerra 
    9 May 2025
    The crash of a Beechcraft Bonanza 36 in the early hours of New Year’s Day (which ended safely for th...
    Businesses coming throughout Collier
    Main, Tim Aten Knows
    Businesses coming throughout Collier
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    9 May 2025
    Q: Do you know what’s going in the old Stein Mart space by Publix? Thanks! – Dana Laskowsky Bilicki,...
    Her long road: Noemi Perez remembers motherhood before adulthood
    Main
    CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY
    Her long road: Noemi Perez remembers motherhood before adulthood
    A long road, with ruts
    By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com 
    9 May 2025
    Some written announcements of motherhood don’t begin with a baby shower list of onesies, diapers and...
    Agassi wins in pro pickleball debut
    Sports
    Agassi wins in pro pickleball debut
    Tennis was relief …
    By Zach Oliveri WINK News 
    9 May 2025
    Andre Agassi, the former top-ranked men’s tennis player in the world, made a historic debut in the s...
    All their world’s a stage
    Arts & Leisure
    Dramatic arts school to embed theater in education
    All their world’s a stage
    By Harriet Howard Heithaus 
    8 May 2025
    Raise the curtain: A performing arts school makes its debut at Sugden Community Theatre Sept. 2. The...
    SWFL Insider
    Local News
    SWFL Insider
    9 May 2025
    Food pantry receives $30,000 grant Marco Lutheran Church Foundation awarded $30,000 to Our Daily Bre...
    Luxury suites planned for Inn expansion
    Business & Real Estate
    Luxury suites planned for Inn expansion
    Each luxury suite would span three stories and offer a kitchen, living room, balconies, a garage, courtyard and plunge pool.
    By Aisling Swift 
    9 May 2025
    Naples’ 27-year-old Inn on Fifth is moving forward with another expansion. Eleven luxury three-story...
    Church can proceed with expansion
    Local News
    Church can proceed with expansion
    By Aisling Swift 
    9 May 2025
    After nearly 15 years in a former furniture showroom, Naples Community Church received its final app...

    Tim Aten Knows

    Tree Farm Plaza nears completion
    Main, Tim Aten Knows
    Tree Farm Plaza nears completion
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    2 May 2025
    Q: What is going into the new buildings just east of Aldi on Immokalee going toward the CVS? – Bob H...
    New Sprouts supermarket coming to Naples area
    Main, Tim Aten Knows
    New Sprouts supermarket coming to Naples area
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    25 April 2025
    Q: Any new information about the vacancies in “Bed Bath & Beyond Plaza”? – Chris Wowk, Naples A: Fou...
    Preschool construction underway
    Main, Tim Aten Knows
    Preschool construction underway
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    11 April 2025
    Q: Do you know what is being built in front of Naples Classic Academy on Immokalee Road? – Elizabeth...
    Many restaurants opened, closed in first quarter of 2025
    Cover Story, Main, Tim Aten Knows
    Many restaurants opened, closed in first quarter of 2025
    TimAten Knows Tim Aten 
    4 April 2025
    In an effort to snag a piece of the high-volume tourist season, many restaurants launched during the...
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    Most Read

    Tree Farm Plaza nears completion
    Main, ...
    Tree Farm Plaza nears completion
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    2 May 2025
    Q: What is going into the new buildings just east of Aldi on Immokalee going toward the CVS? – Bob H...
    All their world’s a stage
    Arts & Leisure
    Dramatic arts school to embed theater in education
    All their world’s a stage
    By Harriet Howard Heithaus 
    8 May 2025
    Raise the curtain: A performing arts school makes its debut at Sugden Community Theatre Sept. 2. The...
    Back in his element
    Main
    Back in his element
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    2 May 2025
    Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Flori...
    Empanadas are perfect pocket repast
    Food & Flavor
    Empanadas are perfect pocket repast
    By Harriet Howard Heithaus harriet.heithaus@naplespress.com 
    2 May 2025
    Empanada Day was nearly a month ago and we are still scooping them up — by the mittful from places i...
    Restaurants, retail also proposed for NC Square
    Main
    Restaurants, retail also proposed for NC Square
    By Tim Aten tim.aten@naplespress.com 
    18 April 2025
    Q: What else is going to be built besides residential units at NC Square on Immokalee Road? I heard ...
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