In our vibrant community of Naples, Florida, where the sun shines bright and the sense of togetherness runs deep, residents are making a big impact through the charities they support. In these interviews, we sit down with community members to hear the stories behind the causes they care about, and how their charitable efforts are making a lasting difference both in Naples and beyond.
Jim Mahon - NCH
How long have you been in Naples? What brought you here?
4 plus years, role as leader of NCH.
What is most important to you in life?
Living a more giving life today than the day before.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
Top 10 Health System in America for the citizens of Southwest Florida.
A continuation of my daughter Katherine’s unconditional commitment to giving back every day.
What advice would you give others to make a difference in their communities or pursue leadership roles?
My father’s unrelenting advice; you have two ears and one mouth — act accordingly.
What motivates you?
The healing and miracles that occur everyday at NCH.
Have there been any significant mentors or role models in your life? If so, who and how?
Dr. Tom Tillar. You were blessed with gifts, always use them to be a servant leader.
Tell us about the charity/charities you support and why it’s important to you.
Planned Parenthood, Red Cross and my own Give Back Foundation.
What important information about NCH would you like Naples to be aware of?
I am proud that NCH will provide 48 million dollars in real charity care this year.
What are your favorite charity events to go to in Naples?
Champions for Learning, Youth Haven and NCH Ball
Vincenzo Betulia — Campagna Hospitality Group
Tell us about you and your business.
I'm the Chef and Owner of Campagna Hospitality Group. We own Osteria Tulia, Bar Tulia, The French Brasserie, Bar Tulia Mercato, Rouge Clandestine Steak and Tulia Catering and Events. We are in the restaurant business and love what we do. We employ 425 wonderful people who believe in our ethos and they are my family. I work in all the locations and love interacting with everyone. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by passionate individuals who share the same mentality as me.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
I hope my three boys see how hard their Father and Mother work to give them better life experiences and resources that were given to us by our parents. I hope both my family and the community remember the sacrifices we make every day so we could all live a happy and joyful life knowing we are feeding our community through a passionate craft that comes from our hands.
Tell us about a charity you support and why it’s important to you.
We support a various amount of charities (with a focus on children charities) from Blessings in a Backpack to Beverly's Angels, Valerie's House, Warrior Homes of Collier County, 2L Foundation, Sunshine Kids, Naples Children Education Foundation and many others.
Joe Logrippo - NaplesNICE
What important information about NaplesNICE would you like Naples to be aware of?
NaplesNICE is the standard we are setting for ourselves in the community. We have one of the nicest places on the planet to live, work and play. We need to all act accordingly. It's incumbent upon us to protect it and preserve it for future generations. It all starts with how we treat each other and how we want to be treated.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
There are a lot of good people out there and they do really care. I don't think about my personal legacy, it's more important to pour into the kids in our community for them to be the difference makers. We want to set them up for success. Everyone talks about the sad state of affairs, but not many are rolling their sleeves up to change it. NaplesNICE is the action.
How do you define success in your life?
This has changed over the years, like most it was money, status, work promotions. Now I look at success as being what am I doing for other people, who and how many people am I helping. What am I adding to my community.
Tell us about special initiative/fundraising effort you are working on.
We are sponsoring the Dion Foundation's Hustle for Muscle to support children with rare diseases.
What are your favorite charity events to go to in Naples, and why?
NTRC's Derby Party, Make-a-Wish Gala. They raise awareness for a good cause and are always a lot of fun!
Peter Johnson — Youth Haven
What is most important to you in life?
My family: my wife, Ashley, and three kids, Lilly (16), Hank (13), and Maggie (9).
Tell us about you and your business.
I work at Youth Haven, Collier County's only emergency shelter for young people who have been removed from their homes for abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Founded in 1972, Youth Haven is one of Naples' oldest direct social service organizations.
Tell us about a charity you support and why it’s important to you.
I support Youth Haven because it is making an enormous impact on the children and teens we serve. Because young people are arriving at Youth Haven with profound trauma and acute mental health challenges, Youth Haven provides increasingly robust mental-health programs--which are so important for the healing process.
Tell us about special initiative/fundraising efforts you are working on.
Youth Haven is in the middle of the most ambitious capital campaign in its 53-year history to replace its aging programming building with a state-of-the-art facility, which will triple the space it has to provide home, hope, and healing to our community's most vulnerable young people.
What are your favorite charity events to go to in Naples, and why?
The Starry Nights Gala (on Saturday, March 22, 2025 this year), one of Naples' most joyful celebrations, featuring an inspired live auction, dancing, and excellent music from Powerhouse: Next Generation.
What advice would you give others to make a difference in their communities or pursue leadership roles?
Make time to listen to those who are vulnerable.
Donna Solimene — Judith Liegeois on 3rd
Tell us about you and your business.
I help out at Judith's on 3rd. Judith Liegeois and I have curated a little curiosity/gift shop on 3rd. It has tapped into a different part of who I am; I didn't realize I had that part! It’s been an amazing time helping people with items for their homes or gifts for special friends.
Tell us about the charity/charities you support and why it’s important to you.
Bucket List Bash (American Cancer Society). I "gave birth" to it 15 years ago. Named it and gave a lot to get it started and help out the local people who need help with the dreaded disease. It took the life of both of my parents and now affecting younger and younger people.
Naples Children Foundation (Naples Winter Wine Festival). It has helped and changed so many lives here in Collier County with our youth. After 24 years you get to hear the success stories of how we have helped and there is not much better than hearing those stories and the differences we made. It takes a village is correct!
Youth Haven is also a great Charity…they have helped so many and I have tried to support that as much as I can.
Community School was one I was involved with since my son was a lifer.
Naples Nice is offering so much to our youth as well. It is nice to see something getting started and seeing the difference it makes at an age that needs to be educated on our area and how to treat people with respect and kindness. Compassion, respect and grace.
Tim Chew — Tix For Good
Tell us about you and your business.
We help nonprofits raise money in a way that is fun and gives everyone an opportunity to support the causes they care about.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
I believe we all have a responsibility to love one another and to help try and make the world a little better than you found it.
How do you define success in your life?
Freedom. Time is the most valuable thing in the world and being able to spend how you want with people you care about is the ultimate luxury.
Have there been any significant mentors or role models in your life? If so, who and how?
My mother. Strongest person I know. She taught me how to handle adversity with a smile.
Tell us about a charity you support and why it’s important to you.
Big Brothers Big Sisters will always have a special place in my heart. Being a “Big” was the most rewarding experience I had prior to starting my own family.
What important information about Tix For Good would you like Naples to be aware of?
We’re always looking to work with awesome nonprofits.
Tell us about special initiative/fundraising efforts you are working on.
We’re giving away two tickets to the Super Bowl in New Orleans to one of our donors.
Ingrid Aielli — The Aielli Group
Tell us about you and your business.
The Aielli Group, founded by me and my husband Chef Fabrizio Aielli, is a restaurant group in Naples which strives to provide high-quality dining experiences with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. Our group operates five prominent restaurants in Naples:
Sea Salt Naples – Located on 3rd Street South, this ocean-centric restaurant offers Venetian-inspired cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and an extensive wine selection.
Barbatella – Situated in Old Naples, Barbatella delivers a contemporary take on traditional Italian dishes, combining authenticity with innovation.
Dorona – A modern Italian steakhouse & comfort food, Dorona blends Italian classics with a fresh twist, offering a diverse menu of meats and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Grappino – A casual Italian eatery specializing in comfort food, Grappino also boasts an impressive selection of over 100 varieties of grappa.
Bakery at Grappino - European Style Bakery, serving breakfast, lunch and offering high quality baking goods as well as homemade pasta.
We proudly employ 275 professionals and use our restaurants as pillars in the community by being involved with multiple charities throughout the year.
What important information about a charity would you like Naples to be aware of?
Youth Haven is a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida that provides emergency and residential shelter for children and teens ages 6 to 20 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or homelessness. Founded in 1972, it operates as a 24/7 safe haven, offering a nurturing environment where youth receive comprehensive care, including medical, mental health, educational, and therapeutic services.
Youth Haven's programs include foster care group homes, a homeless teen group home, and a transitional living program for homeless teens. They also offer therapeutic services like counseling, animal-assisted therapy, and life skills programs aimed at empowering youth to heal and grow into successful, independent adults.
Deborah Houk —
What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
Looking ahead, the legacy I hope to leave behind is one rooted in compassion, service, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. For my children, I want to be remembered as a mother who loved unconditionally, who taught them the importance of kindness, empathy, and the value of helping others. I hope they grow up with a strong sense of responsibility toward their community, understanding that success is not just about personal achievements but also about lifting others along the way.
Within the community, I aspire to leave a legacy of service, particularly in supporting vulnerable populations. Through my work with Youth Haven and other initiatives, I hope to inspire future generations to continue advocating for those who need it most. My goal is to be a part of building a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive, and where healthcare and well-being are accessible to all. I want to leave a lasting impact, not only through my work as a doctor but also by being a leader in creating spaces of safety, support, and opportunity for everyone.
Tell us about a charity you support and why it’s important to you.
I’m deeply passionate about supporting organizations that align with my values. As a Youth Haven board member, Ambassador Circle member, and Co-Chair of the 2025 Starry Nights Gala, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact they have on the lives of vulnerable children in our community. Youth Haven provides a safe haven for children who have experienced trauma, giving them the support, resources, and love they need to heal and thrive. Their work resonates with me, not just as a mother but as someone who believes every child deserves a chance to grow in a safe and nurturing environment.
I’m also proud to serve as the SW Florida Circle of Red Co-Chair for the American Heart Association and advocate for the Go Red for Women movement. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and the AHA’s work in raising awareness, funding research, and promoting heart health is critical. As a member of their executive leadership team, I’m committed to advancing these efforts and empowering women to take charge of their health.
Additionally, I support Seacrest Country Day School, where I serve on the advisory and gala committees. I believe in investing in education and creating enriching environments for children to learn and grow. I’ve also been involved with other local charities through Leadership Collier, which has further deepened my connection to this community.
Each of these causes is important to me because they represent the values I hold dear—compassion, education, and the well-being of others. I’m honored to be a part of organizations that strive to make a lasting, positive impact.