While COVID-19 is likely what we’ll remember most about 2020, there’s another, positive side to the pandemic: It brought out the good in our community. From food to toiletries to mosaics to masks, we witnessed a year of giving. Here’s a look back at some of the inspiring people we met this year. — Air […]
It’s what everyone’s talking about and what I’ve reported on for the past five months: COVID-19. And now, I, like thousands of other people in the state, am confirmed positive. Everyone’s body reacts differently. Here’s my story. It all started Wednesday. Apart from the physical symptoms including the hot flashes, the fever, and the body […]
On one card, Nicole Bishop writes, “Are you the coronavirus? Because you take my breath away.” “We do a lot of jokes,” said the “Cards for Comfort” co-creator. “All of the cards have a personal message.” Like another card that says, “Nancy, are you a pandemic? Because you have my heart on lockdown.” People living […]
The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on everyone and their connections. And many people have complained about how disconnected they’ve been feeling. But a woman in Lee County decided to find a way to bring people together via social media. Connie Ramos-Williams created the SWFL Strong Facebook page so that families can come together and […]
St. Matthew’s House is excited to announce its newest food distribution site at Golden Gate High School in Naples. The site will be open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon for those in the community to come and get food. Many families in Collier County have reached out to St. Matthew’s House to express […]
People in Immokalee are getting more than 1,000 meals delivered to them through a food drive that kicked off Tuesday. Paula Castro is one of the many mothers who say these food boxes are a Godsend for her family. “Thankful for all the people who make this possible because, in reality, there’s people like me […]
A lot of veterans across Southwest Florida are struggling during the economic downturn. On Tuesday, Hearts and Homes for Veterans distributed items to any veteran who presented a valid copy of their Veteran Affairs card. They received bags of food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Behind the Hearts and Homes for Veterans building in fort […]
United Way volunteers in Collier County are keeping busy these days. They spent Thursday unpacking and repacking seven trucks of food boxes that came from a state agency. It’s a lot of hard work and they need all hands on deck at their warehouse. “We’ve got a system,” said Patricia Heath, United Way volunteer and board […]
At the Harry Chapin Food Bank, product is coming in quick and going out fast. “We’re doing distributions close to, totaling, approaching 1 million pounds a week,” said CEO Richard LeBer, and they need more food to fill the need. Thanks to a federal $3 billion distribution plan, they can. The U.S. recently announced a […]
A Southwest Florida business owner went into her own pocket to help her employees during the pandemic shutdown. WINK News anchor Lindsey Sablan spoke with Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, who owns an inn and five restaurants on Captiva, about how the shutdown impacted her businesses and her employees. WATCH the report above.