Naples Wine Festival aims to raise millions for Collier County kids

The Naples Winter Wine Festival auction is set to raise millions for children in Collier County. Before the bidding begins, we take a closer look at why this auction matters through the story of Max Cabrera.

Max Cabrera, a 20-year-old living with autism, has a deep connection with ABLE Academy.

"I like ABLE Academy because every day it's like you're walking into a second home. I do like it here a lot, and I get to do what I love, helping kids," said Cabrera.

Max works as a behavior technician in training at ABLE Academy. His journey with the academy began when he was just a toddler.

"I came first when I was two years old. Then I left about 2012 and then I came back. About 10 years later," said Cabrera.

Max was diagnosed with autism shortly after his first birthday.

"We noticed pretty quickly that there was something different about him. He wouldn't engage with the toys and had a lot of sensitivity to a lot of different things," said Orlando Cabrera, Max's father.

For his parents, the diagnosis was overwhelming.

"I remember that day just feeling, I don't know, just an overwhelming sadness come over me, and also a lot of fear of like, what, what does this mean for him? What does it mean for us?" said Pam Cabrera, Max's mother.

They found ABLE Academy and early intervention that changed everything.

"He loved this alphabet bus. And I remember Pam... she looks at Max. She goes, Max, do it. And he just went around, A, C, D, so we had hit the lottery, and we thought, yeah, we got to hear his voice for the first time, and even there, we thought, if that's the ceiling, what a joy. And now he doesn't ever be quiet," said Orlando Cabrera.

Max now drives himself to Able Academy twice a week and also works at a local pizzeria.

"I love working here. I look forward to it every day I work," said Cabrera.

He is studying for his GED, working towards his black belt, and dreaming even bigger.

"When I leave ABLE, I want to go to college and get my teaching degree, and hopefully I'll be a special education teacher first, and then I would love to open my own school," said Cabrera.

Max's father shared a message for other parents.

"There might be people that will watch this who have children with special needs. Your child is a gift, and they will, if you allow it, they'll teach you so much about this world. You'll see the good and the ceiling is not what you think it is," said Orlando Cabrera.

Max's journey is a testament to the power of early support. The Naples Winter Wine Festival auction will help create more success stories like Max's, having benefited more than 385,000 kids since its inception in 2001.