2021 Annual Community Campaign news

Karen Deutsch, Campaign Chair

Our 2021 Annual Community Campaign, Tomorrow Begins Today, officially started on July 1, 2020. Your generous gifts to the Annual Community Campaign support beneficiaries and programs in our local community, nationally, around the world and in Israel. The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the need to help the most vulnerable of our society navigate through this crisis safely. It has not stopped hunger or food insecurity, isolation or loneliness, lack of personal protective equipment, or a desire to seek continued access to Jewish activities and programming.

There is no better time than today to be part of something larger than yourself, stay connected to your Federation and your community, even if you cannot leave your home, and continue to provide essential services and programs for a better tomorrow.

Tomorrow begins today

You can stay connected, assist and transform lives during this pandemic to help others have a better tomorrow. Paula Filler, a Federation Board member enlisted family, friends and neighbors to donate funds to purchase mask-making materials. Filler was able to identify some of the neediest in the Greater Naples community—their target was to serve those who could not afford to purchase washable face masks.

Filler and her team of “Mask Mavens on a Mission,” including many wonderful women from the WCA of Greater Naples, donated time, materials and skills, delivering close to 100 face masks for Holocaust survivors and other foodinsecure and frail elderly supported by the Naples Senior Center at JFCS; 150 masks to The Shelter for Abused Women & Children; and 500 masks to the local beneficiary and nonprofit organization, SURGE, which delivers food on a weekly basis to the needy.

Tomorrow begins today

You can make an impact on the future of children and adults in Israel through Leket Israel. The largest food bank in Israel, this organization feeds over 200,000 people weekly by “rescuing” fresh or slightly bruised fresh produce and prepared meals from farmers, packing houses, restaurants and caterers to alleviate food insecurity throughout Israel.

Tomorrow begins today

You can make a difference when you donate to our 2021 Annual Community Campaign. We offer grants to our community synagogues as well as provide scholarships for Sunday school, summer camps and the Israel experience for teens. We support our local BBYO program for engaging teens in Jewish immersive experiences, and Hillel on our college campuses. We support The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center to educate and eradicate hate and bigotry. And, we support mental health services, social services and Holocaust survivor services provided by the Naples Senior Center at JFCS.

Your donations support funding for the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island Jewish Film Festival and Cultural Series, Naples Film Festival and Celebrate Israel. We continue to support our fabulous Jewish Book Festival, JCRC, the IAC committee, Jewish-Catholic Dialogue series and so much more!

Tomorrow begins today

You need to join us for our 2021 Annual Community Campaign virtual kickoff event, open to the entire community on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. See our the Save the Date and watch for your special evite coming soon to your email in-box!

Our guest speaker will be Mark Leven, former CEO of the Georgia Aquarium, who will share his involvement in Birthright and his pledge to sustain Jewish values for future generations by making a better tomorrow today for all Jewish people, wherever they may be, through the ultimate gift of giving. We will also be inspired by the music of Rick Recht and hear from beneficiaries and members of our community.

We are here, built for this moment to be together and collectively take care of those in need in this community, around the world and in Israel… please, donate today to the 2021 Annual Community Campaign.