BACK TO SCHOOL BLAST August 17, 2010

The Children’s Advocacy Program of The Children’s Hospital, a part of the Lee Memorial Health System is pleased to participate in the 2^nd Annual Back to School Blast to be held at the Edison Mall on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Safe Kids’ trained fitters will fit children with free bicycle helmets while supplies last.  “We have 100 helmets of various sizes,” said Liz Moreno, Child Advocate at The Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Lee/Collier Counties Coordinator. “We will measure the child’s head and fit the appropriate size helmet to them.  As long as we have the right size helmet for the child, we’re happy to give them away.”

Additionally, information will be available regarding Backpack Safety, Safe Walking to School, Safety Tips for Riding the Bus, and Parked Cars – Dangerous for Kids.

WHEN:          Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE:       Edison Mall

                        Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers

SOUTH WEST FLORIDA PROJECT BACKPACK August 10, 2010

SWFL Project Backpack is a combined effort of local churches and organizations to provide FREE backpacks filled with school supplies to families in need in Southwest Florida. This year, there will be six block party locations on Saturday, August 14^th from 11:00 – 1:00. Each of these will have bounce houses, free games, food, and entertainment along with a free backpack full of school supplies for the first 1,000 kids to arrive. All are welcome to this exciting event. If you wish to sponsor a child, make a donation, or get details on locations, times, or volunteering, please visit us at www.swflprojectbackpack.com. Thank you and God bless.

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED August 10, 2010

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children

Back to School Supplies Needed     The Shelter’s Back to School Drive helps meet the needs of families fleeing domestic violence who arrive at The Shelter’s Beau Venturi Home without the basic necessities.     Current needs include the following new items:  Pick-up a few extra school supplies while out shopping and help support The Shelter for Abused Women & Children‘s Back to School Drive. · Gift Certificates: Wal-Mart, Target, Payless for back to school clothing needs (i.e. uniforms, shoes, socks, underwear) ·   School clothes ·   School shoes ·   Backpacks ·   Kleenex ·   Lunch boxes & thermoses ·   #2 Pencils ·   Pocket folders (some with prongs) ·   High lighters ·   Black, red & blue pens ·   Glue sticks ·   Children’s scissors ·   White board markers ·   3-Hole binder paper (loose leaf) ·   Rulers ·   Primary color paint set (watercolors) ·   Pencil boxes ·   Construction paper ·   Washable crayons, colored pencils and markers ·   Erasers ·   Binders (½, 1, 1 ½, 2 in.) ·   Calculators ·   Writing tablets ·   Calendars ·   Protractors ·   1, 3, 5 subject notebooks ·   Elmer’s Glue    Back to School items can be dropped off at The Shelter’s resale stores during normal business hours:          - Another Option Thrift Shoppe – Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 5248 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. 239.354.4050   - Options Thrift Shoppe – Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 968 Second Avenue North, Naples. 239.434.7115. Individuals, civic groups, religious organizations and businesses interested in hosting a Back to School Drive should call 239.775.3862, ext. 235, or email rgrabau@naplesshelter.org.  To Prevent. To Protect. To Prevail. The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. For more information on The Shelter, please call 239.775.3862, or visit www.naplesshelter.org

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY EVENT September 11, 2009

 

What: Florida Missing Children’s Day Event at Headquarters Library

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Collier County Sheriff’s Office partner with The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to offer Free Digital Child ID Kits to families. The event helps to commemorate Florida Missing Children’s Day. The second Monday in September of each year has been designated as “Florida Missing Children’s Day” by the Florida Legislature.  The 14^th of September is a time for remembrance, recognition, and hope. Collier County Crime Prevention McGruff the crime dog will join the event.

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Location: 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109. For details, call 593-0870

About the Child Identification Program

The Child Identification Program offers families the opportunity to be prepared in case their child ever goes missing. Children are fingerprinted and photographed using the most advanced Biometric Fingerprinting & ID equipment currently available, approved by FBI and law-enforcements around the country. The equipment captures a 10 Digit fingerprint profile and a high resolution full color digital photograph of the child. The process is completed within a matter of minutes and the parents are able to take all information home to be stored in a safe place, along with two ID cards of their children’s information they can carry with them at all times. A DNA Home Kit provided by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office will allow parents to collect the child’s DNA at home.  DNA is collected by rubbing the child’s cheek with the cotton swabs provided and placing the swabs back in the kit.

One of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the recovery of a missing child is an up-to-date, good-quality photograph along with descriptive information.  A Digital Child ID kit enables parents and guardians to take the precaution of being prepared with the vital information they’ll need immediately should their child become missing. This information can greatly assist law enforcement in finding a child when disseminated in a timely manner.

 

 

H1N1/SWINE FLU August 26, 2009

School is back in session for many area children. The school year traditionally brings an increase in illnesses to the classrooms and into our homes. This is of particular concern due to the continued spread of the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu. There is a strong concern that a large number of local residents will be affected by H1N1 during the normal flu season, occurring later this year.

In preparation for the increase in traffic and potential spread of germs, Lee Memorial Health System will implement a revised version of the visitation policies at Cape Coral Hospital, Lee Memorial Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, The Rehabilitation Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center, and The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

These temporary precautions, meant to keep our community as healthy as possible, are as follows:

• Children under the age of 12 will not have access to adult critical care areas of the hospitals, the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), and the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit).
• Patients, families and visitors are strongly encouraged not to bring children under the age of 12 to the hospitals for visitation.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, it is highly recommended you wear a mask while in public. If seeking medical treatment, inform the medical staff immediately that you may have the flu.

It’s important to remember that contracting the swine flu is not necessarily a reason to panic. The public is encouraged to stay informed and educated about the H1N1 virus.

Additional good health practices to help prevent the spread of germs include washing your hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds; cough into a tissue or sleeve; avoid large crowds and enclosed spaces when possible; and stay home from work or school if you are feeling ill.

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH AT SUN-N-FUN LAGOON August 20, 2009

 

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon is throwing a Back To School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 22. This means discounted admission for everyone!  The bash will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is sponsored by Drug Free Collier and B 103.9 FM Radio. 

Back to School Bash admissions will be at a group rate for everyone whether you are with a group or not. This is Collier County Parks and Recreation’s and Drug Free Collier’s way of celebrating the end of summer with families.  Entry fees for the day will be $4.50 for those less than 48 inches tall and just $8 for individuals 48 inches or taller.  That’s a savings over the regular entry fees of $5.50 and $12 respectively.
Back to School Bash Attractions:

The Back to School Bash will include a DJ, games, prizes, crab races, a bounce house and giant slide.  There will also be a bungee run. This is a way for parents and kids to have that last day of summer fun, before the serious work of school begins.

After school begins, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon switches to its fall hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends only. The park will be open these hours Aug. 24 through the month of October and is closed November to January, except for school winter break.

For more information, visit www.collierparks.com or call the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon hotline at (239) 252-4021.

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!! August 19, 2009

Lee Physician Group Associates in Pediatrics would like to reach out and help kids get ready for school.

Please join us on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. at Lee Physician Group Associates in Pediatrics, 4751 S. Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL  33907, if you are in need of some gently used clothing and school supplies.

If you would like to donate any clothes you have to fit children between the ages of 5-16 or school supplies, you may drop them off at any Lee Physician Group Pediatric office, preferably by August 20^th.

Together we can help children ready for a new school year.

FREE BACK TO SCHOOL RECYCLING FAIR August 12, 2009

_______________________________________________________________________ The Collier County Public Utilities Division’s Solid Waste Management Department will be hosting a new event, the Back to School Recycling Fair, to reach out and help the community. The Public Services Division’s Parks and Recreation Department is proud to participate and co-host this event on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Immokalee Sports Complex. “The idea for this event is to promote recycling to help bolster a more environmentally responsible community, while providing much needed items such as backpacks and school supplies for families in this time of need,” said Solid Waste Recycling Coordinator Jodi Walters. The Back to School Recycling Fair will feature a number of attractions for children and adults ranging from bicycle inspections to an employment service for adults. Choice Environmental, the solid waste and recycling collections franchisee for the Immokalee area, will bring one of its recycling trucks and will have staff on hand to discuss with visitors how they can help reduce the amount of trash going to the county’s landfill. On the health watch, there will be FREE blood pressure checks and pre-diabetic testing for children and adults. The Susan G. Komen Foundation will also have an educational display about breast cancer and information on preventative measures to prevent the disease. Collier County Sheriff deputies will inspect children’s bicycles for any safety concerns. They will also discuss safe traveling for little ones on bicycles. Parents are invited to load up the car and bring their children’s bikes for inspection. The Immokalee Fire Control & Rescue District will educate families about fire safety, having an escape route from your home and how to plan for the unexpected. Families will also receive free nutritional-themed coloring books in an effort to raise awareness with parents and children about the importance of a balanced diet. Parks and Recreation will provide a fun bounce house for children at the event as well.  For more information, visit www.collierparks.com or call (239) 657-4449.