Local jeweler helping kids this Christmas

Congress Jewelers' Southwest Florida locations will serve as collection sites for toys and gifts for area children as part of this year's Giving Tree program.

Run by Voices for Kids, in support of its Guardian ad Litem program, Giving Tree provides gifts for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Children are asked to list three holiday wishes on paper ornaments, which are then posted at the Congress Jewelers' stores.

Those wishing to participate in the Giving Tree program are invited to pick up an ornament and return new, unwrapped gifts, with the ornament attached, by Nov. 30. Congress Jewelers' Giving Tree locations are on Sanibel Island at Periwinkle Place, in Bonita Springs at 25555 South Tamiami Trail, and in Naples at 601 Fifth Avenue and in Coastland Center.

Spearheading the effort on behalf of Congress Jewelers, Marybel Benzrihem, general manager of the Sanibel store location, said, "Working with Voices for Kids on the Giving Tree program is a natural extension of our company philosophy. Congress Jewelers is committed to community involvement, and it is our hope that we can make a positive difference in the lives of so many area children."

Voices for Kids has been supporting the Guardian ad Litem program in the 20th Judicial Circuit for the past 25 years. Its mission is to ensure that every abused and neglected child in the five Southwest Florida counties (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee) has a courtappointed Guardian volunteer and that financial assistance and other resources are available for the child's accompanying health, education and social needs. To find out more about Voices for Kids and the Guardian ad Litem program for the 20th Judicial Circuit, visit www.voicesforkids. org. ¦