In the sun-drenched city of Naples, a group of spirited women don Santa hats, dance tracks and trolleys—and transform themselves into something far more than seasonal revelers. They are the members of Jingled Elves, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of women and children in Collier County through festive fun.
The story began with an idea from Founder, Donna Issenman: combine the cheer of the holidays with serious fundraising for local philanthropy, supporting charities serving women and children in need.
The mission is playful on the surface—elves in trolleys doing flash mobs—but the underlying impact is serious. Their grant program invites nonprofit organizations in Collier County that serve women and/or children to apply. Grants are awarded after nomination by participants and sponsors, review by the Grants Committee, and a vote by registered participants.
The highlight of the year for Jingled Elves is their annual Trolley Tour & Party. This year's event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Green at Mercato in Naples. Participants board decorated trolleys, hop from location to location—generally in stylish Naples settings—and break out into choreographed holiday routines. It’s equal parts dance party, holiday shuttle and philanthropic mission. In past years, the event has included flash mobs at places such as Sugden Plaza in downtown Naples.
While the trolleys and red T-shirts suggest light-hearted fun, the impact is tangible. Jingled Elves operate with the transparency of a registered 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 85-0852417) and solicit tax-deductible donations and sponsorships.
They’ve made strong community strides:
- The Grants Committee process ensures awarded funds go to focused projects supporting women and children in Collier County.
- Local nonprofits have praised the impact: a testimonial from Youth Haven notes that the Jingled Elves are “a wonderful asset to our community, spreading joy and holiday cheer.”
- In 2024, the Collier Community Foundation recognized Jingled Elves with their Excellence in Civic Leadership award—attesting to the group’s measurable community impact.
Their fundraising model combines fun-and-festivity with serious charity:
- The annual Trolley Tour & Party is the flagship event. Registration includes a trolley ride, dancing, and festive stops. For example, the 2025 registration page had an option to ride a trolley, join a flash mob, and select a T-shirt size.
- Sponsorships from local businesses bolster the event’s capacity and support the grant funds.
- “Shop & Share” events, corporate contributions, and individual donations round out the revenue streams.
- Grant applications open each year, with a deadline (for example September 26, 2025) and a structured timeline.
Jingled Elves are more than donors and dancers—they’re community builders. Their events are intentionally inclusive and spirited, bringing together women of Naples and surrounding areas who want to make a difference and have fun doing it. The flash mob style performances, festive attire, and public stops around town turn charity into a lively, entertaining experience.
Moreover, the organization helps highlight smaller nonprofits that might otherwise get overlooked. As one news article put it: they focus on “raising awareness of smaller charities people don’t know about.”
In a region blessed with natural beauty and resort-style affluence, the needs of women and children still demand attention: from shelters, tutoring programs, crisis services, and more. Jingled Elves offer a unique approach: they use civic engagement, local culture, timing (holiday season), and innovative event formats to mobilize funds and awareness.
For nonprofits, it means access to funding, visibility, and a happy partnership with a positive brand. For participants, it means combining social fun with philanthropy. For the Naples community, it means more resources directed toward those who need them—wrapped up in holiday color and joy.
Registration for the next Trolley Tour is already open. If you’re a local, a business, or a charitable organization serving women and children in Collier County, here’s how you can get involved:
- Participants: Sign up for the tour, join the flash mob, ride the trolley, wear the gear, spread cheer.
- Sponsors: Partner with slogans, logos, and support that help the event succeed and expand.
- Nonprofit Applicants: If you serve women and/or children in Collier County, consider applying for a grant (via nomination) during the application window.
- Donors: Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible and go toward tangible projects approved by the committee.
In Naples, “elves” are not just the little helpers from the North Pole—here they’re grown women with a mission. The Jingled Elves make the holiday season more than merry; they make it meaningful. Through the Trolley Tour, the flash mobs, the public spectacle, they shine a spotlight on women’s and children’s causes in Collier County and deliver resources where they matter most. Their energy transforms Naples—not just into a winter wonderland—but into a community that gives, dances, and changes lives.
"I love being part of such an enthusiastic, generous and FUN group of women...and, we all have a voice in selecting the organizations to receive funds each year!" Laura Donovan, COO