United Way of Collier and the Keys

09/01/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Ellen Vanderburg for this extraordinary gift honoring Dolly’s legacy and helping put more books into the hands of children in our community. ❤️📚

Thank you, Gulf Coast News, for sharing this special story!

A Southwest Florida United Way board member donated $100,000 to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in honor of the late singer. STORY LINK IN COMMENTS ⬇️

09/01/2026

A remarkable gift to honor a remarkable legacy. ❤️📚

UWCK Board Member and Tocqueville Society member Ellen Vanderburg has generously donated $100,000 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping put books into the hands of children in our community.

Dolly’s family has asked those wishing to honor her memory to consider donations to the Imagination Library, helping continue the work that meant so much to her.

Help us carry Dolly’s legacy forward. Inspired by Ellen’s generous $100,000 gift, we invite our community to help match her support and reach even more children.

Just $36 sponsors a child for an entire year, providing a new book delivered to their home each month.

Together, we can honor Dolly by giving more children the opportunity to dream, learn and discover the joy of a good book. ❤️

Give: uwcollierkeys.org/dpil-donate

08/31/2026

Our August newsletter is here!

This month, we’re honoring Dolly Parton’s remarkable legacy and her commitment to putting books into the hands of children. In that spirit, UWCK Board Member and Tocqueville Society member Ellen Vanderburg has generously donated $100,000 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library - helping ensure young readers in our community continue receiving free books delivered right to their homes.

We’re also sharing the latest from across UWCK, including community impact, partner visits, upcoming events and more.

Read the August newsletter and see what’s happening at UWCK!https://uwcollierkeys.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/August-2026-Newsletter.pdf

08/29/2026

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has a local chapter through United Way of Collier and the Keys, giving children right here in Monroe County the opportunity to register to receive a free, age-appropriate book every month from birth to age five.

So, for the next seven days, every royalty I earn from purchases of “Reef the Fox Finds His Purpose” will be donated directly to the local United Way of Collier and the Keys chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

I’ll make the donation directly through the Imagination Library website, where donors can select the specific local program they want their contribution to support.

I created Reef’s little book to share a message with children about resilience, kindness and discovering that sometimes the things that make us different can help us find our purpose.

Now, for the next week, every copy purchased will help put even more books into the hands of children in our own community.

One little fox. One little book. And hopefully, a few more little readers.

Buy the book 👇🏻

https://a.co/d/0ifqQF1o

08/28/2026

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT! ⚾

Join United Way of Collier and the Keys for a Fort Myers Mighty Mussels game!

🎟️ $5 from every ticket purchased through our link comes back to UWCK to support our work.

⚾ Gates open at 5:45 PM
⚾ First pitch at 7:05 PM
🎆 Stick around for fireworks after the game!

Grab your tickets, bring your friends and family, and enjoy a fun Friday night while supporting your community.

Get your tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/UnitedWayNight2026

08/27/2026

Rising costs are putting pressure on our neighbors across Collier County - including local seniors struggling to keep up with the cost of food and other basic necessities.

As this The News-Press (Fort Myers and Cape Coral)
News-Press article highlights, 40% of Collier County households live below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they don't earn enough to afford all of life's basic costs.

United Way of Collier and the Keys works to support our ALICE neighbors by investing in local programs that provide food, financial assistance, health care and other critical resources.

Read the article:

With inflation rising, many Collier County seniors are struggling to afford food. See how one community is helping.

08/25/2026

Today, we join millions around the world in remembering Dolly Parton - an icon whose legacy reaches far beyond music. 💙📚

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, she gave millions of children the gift of books and helped inspire a lifelong love of reading. United Way of Collier and the Keys is proud to have been part of that legacy, helping bring the Imagination Library to children and families in our community.

We are grateful for Dolly’s extraordinary generosity, her belief in the power of literacy and the joy she brought to generations.

Rest in peace, Dolly. ❤️

08/22/2026

With support from the Collier Community Foundation, èBella’s “Caught in the Act of Kindness” shines a spotlight on local residents making a difference through generosity, compassion and heart.

Good things are happening all around us! Explore this month’s inspiring chapter here https://www.ebellamag.com/caught-in-the-act-of-kindness-august-2026.

08/21/2026

Join us for Startender Night benefiting United Way of Collier and the Keys!

📅 Thursday, September 3
⏰ 5-8 PM
📍 The Hangout by Two Guys
2360 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples

Come out for a fun evening while supporting our community! A percentage of sales, donations and proceeds from a 50/50 raffle will benefit UWCK and our work supporting hardworking families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.

Grab your friends, stop by and help make a difference.