Naples Police recognizes three youth for their efforts to help their community

Naples Police awarded three students with recognitions after police say they made the right choices.

The awarded minors are students at Lake Park Elementary School and the Community School of Naples. Police presented their awards during the City Council meeting on Jan. 15.

Quinn Carter, a second-grader at Lake Park Elementary School, heard another student tell a fellow second-grader that he would cause harm to him.  

No U-turn:Judge denies bond for Naples mom accused in toddler's bathtub drowning after second arrest

Police said Quinn understood the seriousness of the threat and reported what he heard to school staff.

"Quinn's quick thinking and courage is an inspiration to us all!" police wrote in a Facebook post.

Since December 2012, police said, Anthony Avola has brought friends and family together each holiday season to participate in his annual Gingerbread House Making Party.

From the very beginning, police said, Avola added a meaningful element to the celebration by requesting each guest to bring a new, unopened toy.

Over the past 14 years, Avola's dedication to this tradition has resulted in the donation of hundreds of toys to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Naples, spreading joy and support to children in need throughout the community, police said.

Police said Avola, 16, has begun to pass the torch to his younger sister, 6-year-old Fahada Doyle-Saad.

Together, police said, they have transformed the Gingerbread House Making Party into a family tradition that is fun and deeply meaningful.

This year, the siblings donated more than 40 toys to Project HELP, a local organization that supports children victimized by crime.

Police said Avola's commitment to sharing the joy of giving, and Doyle-Saad's enthusiastic participation, "remind us of the power of kindness and the importance of nurturing these values in younger generations."

"Their efforts demonstrate how one family’s dedication to helping others can inspire an entire community and bring light to those who need it most, especially during the holiday season," police wrote in a news release posted to their Facebook page.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.