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It’s hard to believe that another season is coming to a close. It seems we spend months preparing for “season” and before we know it, our part-time residents are packing their belongings and heading north.

While you’re closing up your condo or house, consider packing up your cupboard contents into a couple of boxes or bags and dropping them at the Marco Island Residents’ Beach when you make that dreaded last trip to the beach! Don’t leave items behind to toss when you arrive next season. Your leftovers will be put to good use by Tammi Williams and “Cleaning Out the Cupboards.”

Tammi has been collecting non-perishable food items for needy individuals in Collier County for the past year. What started as a small project has grown and Tammi now also accepts other items that are in good condition, such as furniture and clothing. You can drop items at Tammi Williams’ house at 73 Bermuda Road, across from Tommie Barfield Elementary School, or call her at 601-2533 for more information.

Our Residents’ Beach members were asked to bring canned goods to MICA’s Holiday Celebration in December. We can thank our members for being generous in donating numerous boxes of food just in time for Christmas dinner.

Our members have also been helpful in collecting “Bedtime Bundles.” Each January MICA names its “Humanitarian of the Year” and on Jan. 30 at MICA’s Annual Meeting, Karen Saeks was presented with the award. Karen started a wonderful program to help the children of migrant farm workers with the basic necessities that they can take with them in their “bundle” when they move on to the next crop and the next town. There are hundreds of children in need of a bundle living just up the road from us, from our comfortable homes on Marco Island, and Karen is depending on our help.

You can donate a complete Bedtime Bundle, a portion of one or many, or send a check or a gift certificate. It can’t get much easier to help a child. You can drop it at the MICA office at 1770 San Marco Road, Unit 204, or call Karen Saeks at 398-5179.

What’s in a bundle? Fill a new or gently used pillow case with items appropriate for an infant through a 17 year old boy or girl. Based upon the age you choose, necessities can include diapers or pull ups, baby wipes, powder, pacifier, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and shampoo, washcloth and towel, pajamas, socks, underwear, sweatshirt or sweater, blanket or throw, and a book, toy or stuffed animal.

On behalf of the MICA Board of Directors we’d like to thank all of our island visitors and snowbirds for spending the past few months with us and for your generosity in giving from your hearts.

We extend our best wishes for a healthy and wonderful summer. Enjoy!