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Making Naples a Better Place

to Live Continues

by Lois Bolin, Ph.D., Old Naples Historian

n 2013, Inc. magazine discussed why Culture of Kindness
businesses should build a culture of The culture of kindness took hold after WWII when the United
I giving back. The author wrote that States took the lead to rebuild a shattered world at home and for their
making charitable donations isn’t simply a feel- former enemies.
good thing – it is a way to drive change in our Naples’ culture of giving back was founded upon this spirit and
communities and within our organizations. is alive and well today. Whether it’s donating money to charity,
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the author volunteering, or helping a stranger, giving back is simply a way of life
dove into the City of Naples archives and found ‘The Make for our community.
Naples a Better Place to Live Plan’, which was later shortened to In his 1901 Thanksgiving Proclamation, Theodore Roosevelt
The Naples Plan. This plan not only drove change in 1948 – it said, “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will
solidified Naples' culture of giving back. be expected from us; and that true homage comes from the heart as
“The Naples Plan” captured the attention of the Tampa well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds. We can best prove our
Tribune’s editor, James Clendinen, who wrote about a unique thankfulness to the Almighty by the way in which on this earth and
community effort that showed American ingenuity at its best. at this time each of us does his duty to his fellow men.”
“This story is about how the west coast town of Naples, 160 miles Thanksgiving for Vets and Pets
south of Tampa, pulled $250,000 in town improvements Each Thanksgiving I highlight community members who are
out of a hat.” known for doing their duty and there are many. This year there are
The hat, Mr. Clendinen referred to, was not a magician’s hat; two that captured my heart: Snip Collier and Tag a Pet for a Vet.
but an ordinary one – like the ones that were passed around to Making life better for Veterans and rescues is the mission of Tag
take collections for office parties. He went on to say the only a Pet for a Vet, a 501c3 founded by USAF Veteran, Tina Clark
thing this innovative plan needed was “preferably a 10-gallon hat” (aka Chickabee), who has personally experienced the power of love
and a number of “high-bracket” property owners with enough from rescue animals. To learn more, visit their FB page or
community interest to part with a wad of folding money when the tagapetforavet.org.
hat was passed. SNIP Collier is a "boots on the ground" 501c3 organization, who
Luckily, the town of Naples had both. rescues abandoned and stray animals that are usually sick or injured.
On Jan. 9, 1948, just past Happy Hour, (at 8 p.m.), Mayor Roy With over 20 years of experience in the Collier County rescue
Smith called a meeting to say that the IRS had approved their community, Tom Kepp, founded SNIP Collier in 2013. You can find
unprecedented “pass-the-hat-plan” under IRS Code Section 28 as Tom in the field rescuing both dogs and cats, educating pet owners,
a contribution to a political subdivision. At that time in Florida, and working with our county to create better laws and enforcement
100 percent of political contributions were tax-deductible. Perfect for the sake of these animals.
timing to pass the hat. To report an injured animal, please contact Tom at
The plan outlined several projects, including mosquito 239-825-5834. For more info visit snipcollier.org.
abatement; the construction jetties; sand dredging; and street To help these two groups, I think we need another “10 gallon
paving from Gordon Pass to Gordon Drive to the Post Office hat” party so community minded individuals can part with a wad of
to “First Street and the Street to the Pier.” The town’s leaders folding money and good wishes.
understood their community’s most precious resource was not Thank you, Chickabee and Tom, who unknowingly are paying
necessarily its beaches as parks and playgrounds were listed as homage to those pioneering families, who made Naples a better place
the No. 1 priority with no mention of drag shows. Cambier and to live by carrying on the tradition.
Lowdermilk Park were completed in 1948 and 1950 respectively. Remember
Both were named after city employees.
November 11 Veteran Day
November 27 Thanksgiving Day

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