Sip and Sample Event a Success
Posted by melissam | Charities/Sponsorships, Naples, Shopping Centers, SWFL News, Village on Venetian Bay | Posted on March 16th, 2011
Naples, Florida (March 2011) Friends of Foster Children of Southwest Florida announced that the first Sip and Sample fundraising event held on February 23 at the Village on Venetian Bay was a vintage success. Nearly 200 patrons in attendance purchased $25 passports to sample wines and appetizers at the participating Village merchants.
The event raised $4,800 to benefit children in foster care in Southwest Florida according to Jennifer Weidenbruch, the Executive Director Friends of Foster Children SWFL. “We are very pleased with the response from the community to participate in this fund-raising effort,” said Ms Weidenbruch. “It was a great time for a great cause and The Village Merchants and The Lutgert Companies were wonderful. Children placed into Foster Care are primarily due to tragic circumstances such as losing their parents, abuse or neglect. Often, they have no other family members to care for them. Taken from your home is a traumatic experience for anyone, and especially for kids.”
The funds raised at the Sip and Sample event will provide clothing, tutoring, summer camp and after-school activities for local children in foster care.
Statistics from the Children’s Defense Fund and Department of Children and Families Data from district 8 Foster Care System (Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry & Glades Counties) are distressing with a child being abused or neglected every 4 minutes. 134,567 children are victims of abuse of neglect each year and 29,229 children are in foster care.
Licensed foster parents receive between $443 and $546 per month, depending on age, to help with room and board. Less than half of the children removed from their homes are in licensed care. Non-related unlicensed foster parents are eligible for only Medicaid for support.
FFC recognizes that these children deserve to have their childhood kept intact and provides them with opportunities to become successful and strong adults. FFC, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, focuses on filling in the gaps in the state system. FFC’s support ranges from tutoring or after-school programs to enrichment activities that nurture the child’s talents and passions.