Letters to the Editor, Naples News, Thursday, April 27, 2017

On behalf of our 96 students, their parents, our teachers and staff, I want to thank the men, women and children who volunteer with Fun Time Early Childhood Academy.

Together, we provide safe, quality, affordable education and care to children of low-income working families, ensuring they enter kindergarten ready to read and ready to learn.

The results speak for themselves: Since 2006 our graduates have been deemed as performing at and above kindergarten readiness levels by the Florida Department of Education.

Whether it’s student mentors from Parkside Gentleman’s Club reading with our children, retired teachers providing one-to-one tutoring or visits by PAWS Assistance Dogs, our students’ lives are richer for your efforts.

This Volunteer Appreciation Week we thank you for constructing/repairing classroom equipment, photographing our activities, serving on boards and committees, tutoring, chaperoning, mentoring and encouraging our kids to do their best and become the best version of themselves.

You help them learn more than their 1,2,3’s and ABC’s. Your actions expand their verbal, social and interpersonal skills while showing them the value of sharing and giving. Thank you.

To learn more about Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, and volunteer opportunities, please visit FunTimeAcademy.org or call 239-261-8284.

Barbara Tyrrell, executive director,

Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, Naples