Skillets restaurants in Southwest Florida donated $8,800 to the Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (Collier CAC), continuing a long-standing partnership that supports children and families affected by abuse in Collier County. The funds were raised through customer contributions and Skillets match at in-restaurant donation jars at all Collier County restaurants in 2025.

Since the initiative began 13 years ago, Skillets and its customers have donated more than $123,000 to Collier CAC, helping sustain critical, trauma-informed services provided at no cost to local families.

“Our partnership with Skillets really demonstrates how loose change can add up and positively impact children in our community,” said Jackie Stephens, CEO of Collier CAC. “Private support like this allows us to provide expert medical care, advocacy, therapy and family support to children who need it most, without barriers.”

The donation helps fund Collier CAC’s comprehensive programs, including protection and advocacy services, compassionate and specialized care, and parenting and education programs – all offered free of charge to children and their families. As an independent nonprofit organization, Collier CAC serves as the first point of care in Collier County when abuse is suspected, working closely with law enforcement and child welfare partners to ensure children receive coordinated, compassionate support.

“For more than a decade, our customers and team members have chosen to support Collier CAC because we believe protecting children and strengthening families is a shared community responsibility,” said Noreen Edlund, Skillets co-founder. “We’re proud to continue this partnership and help ensure children in Collier County have access to the care and support they deserve.”

Founded in Naples in 1995 by Noreen and Ross Edlund, Skillets serves made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch and has grown to 15 locations in Southwest Florida, the Sarasota-Bradenton area and Southeast Florida.

To learn more about how to support Collier CAC, visit caccollier.org/ways-to-give.

About the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County 

The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the first point of care for children in Collier County when abuse is suspected. Since 1986, Collier CAC has provided forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, family advocacy and parent education in one child-centered setting, reducing what could be up to six separate agency visits to a single coordinated response.

Collier CAC is the only organization in Collier County legally authorized to perform forensic medical exams for children under 12 and to deliver medical, court advocacy and therapeutic services under one roof. All services are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers so families can access support regardless of circumstance.

While the organization partners closely with the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and Collier County Public Schools, it is not a government agency. Collier CAC relies on community support to sustain and expand its work, as abuse occurs in every zip code.

To learn more about how Collier CAC is committed to helping children find safety, healing and hope, visit caccollier.org.