Cary , Denise and Brian Cobb , Shirlene Elkins , Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo , Libby and Rick Germain , Julia and Rob Heidt , Jr ., Barbie and Paul Hills , Simone and Scott Lutgert , and Shelly and Ralph Stayer .
“ When we organized the first Naples Winter Wine Festival 25 years ago , no one imagined it would grow and thrive into the tremendous annual event that it is today ,” said Jeff Gargiulo , Team 25 Leader . “ That inaugural year , we raised a little over $ 2 million . In the years since , almost $ 302 million has been raised to help fill the gap for essential children ’ s services in the local community .”
The 25th annual NWWF comes following the record-breaking event in January 2024 during which over $ 33 million was raised . Funds are distributed by NCEF via grants to individual nonprofits and multi-partner , multiyear strategic initiatives focusing on the well-being of the whole child , including early learning , healthcare , hunger , mental health , oral health , out-ofschool time and vision .
“ We are delighted to once again welcome some of the world ’ s top vintners , celebrity chefs and featured sommeliers for another amazing weekend ,” said Rick Germain , Team 25 Leader . “ As we commemorate our silver anniversary , we will encourage everyone under the tent to bid high and bid often during our live auction as every dollar raised benefits children in Collier County .”
With the funds raised through the Naples Winter Wine Festival , NCEF has significantly impacted close to 90 of the most effective non-profit organizations in the local community , providing more than 300,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel . NCEF ' s unique approach , which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources , has become a blueprint for how to transform a community , one issue at a time .
Here are just some of the ways NCEF has improved the lives of underprivileged children throughout the years :
• More than 59,000 children have been educated through high-quality early learning programs , leading to nearly half of Collier County children being deemed “ Ready for Kindergarten ” consistently since 2017 .
• Nearly 270,000 pediatric patient visits have been conducted through two Healthcare Initiative partner campuses assisting with a 15 percent decrease in emergency room visits for children ages 5-19 from 2017-2021 .
• Nearly 30 million meals have been distributed to children and families in need leading to a 21 percent decrease in the number of food insecure children in Collier County between 2017 and 2021 .
• More than 75,000 youth have received effective and coordinated mental health services and treatment with 3,000 children annually screened during their pediatric well visits .
• More than 6,000 children now have a brighter smile thanks to the 60 percent increase in the number of third grade students with dental sealants on their permanent molars .
• More than 57,000 children in Immokalee have participated in out-of-school time programs contributing to a 22.7 percentage point increase of the graduation rate for Immokalee High School to 87.4 percent in 2023 .
• More than 176,000 screenings have been performed leading to more than 45,000 pairs of glasses ( one for school and at-home ) have been distributed to children in need .
Ticket packages for the 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival start at $ 17,500 per couple for a Double Magnum package and $ 40,000 for two couples to experience a Jeroboam Package . For additional information , please visit : napleswinefestival . com / about-the-festival .
About Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival ( NWWF ), one of the world ' s most prestigious charity wine auctions , offers a weekend of unforgettable memories . Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in elegant , private homes and other landmark settings throughout Naples and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction . Since its inaugural event in 2001 , the NWWF has raised almost $ 302 million , making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County . About Naples Children & Education Foundation The Naples Children & Education Foundation ( NCEF ), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival , is improving the educational , emotional and health outcomes of underprivileged and atrisk children . Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives , NCEF has impacted close to 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community , providing more than 300,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel . NCEF ' s unique approach , which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources , has become a blueprint for how to transform a community , one issue at a time .
For additional information on the Naples Children & Education Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival , contact Lisa Juliano at lisa @ napleswinefestival . com or 239-514-2239 .
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 31