Communities Connected for Kids celebrated its volunteers during a special breakfast in St. Lucie West April 4. From top to bottom are: CCKids Volunteer of the Year Jenni Carson, center, flanked by CCKids Outreach Director Christina Kaiser, left, and CEO Carol Deloach, right; Staff Volunteer of the Year Denise Natalizio; and Group Volunteer of the Year Seacoast Bank, represented by Vanessa Farnes.

CCKids Celebrates its Volunteers
Special Breakfast also launches 2025 Manicure Movement

April 9, 2025

Port St. Lucie - Communities Connected for Kids celebrated more than 30 volunteers Friday, April 4, during the non-profit organization's annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

The event recognized CCKids' volunteers of the year and served as a launch for the organization's annual Child Abuse Prevention campaign, called the Manicure Movement.

Formally recognized were Jenni Carson, Denise Natalizio and Seacoast Bank.

Carson was awarded CCKids' Volunteer of the Year Award for her work across multiple CCKids offices and as a liaison to new community partnerships. Specifically, the St. Lucie County resident has assisted several local families receive the goods and services they needed by responding to requests via CarePortal, a resource that connects local churches to case managers working on behalf of their clients.

She also arranged for CCKids to have its quarterly staff meetings at Indian River Presbyterian Church, in Fort Pierce, and coordinated special events for local foster parents and kinship caregivers.

"As soon as you can ask it, Jenni has figured out how to provide it," said Christina Kaiser, CCKids Community Relations Director. "She's always finding new ways to connect us in the community."

Seacoast Bank was recognized as the CCKids Volunteer Group of the Year - an honor accepted by Branch Manager Vanessa Farnes, who is also a CCKids board member.

"Seacoast is an incredible community partner, and I don't think that will come as a surprise to anyone who lives here," Kaiser said.

The bank was recognized this year for its commitment to CCKids' foster families, particularly in regard to the annual Caregiver Pizza and Pool Party. The event is held annually at Stuart's Sailfish Splash. And thanks to Seacoast's sponsorship, the event is closed to the public so that local foster families can relax and enjoy the day without concerns for privacy.

New this year to the CCKids series of volunteer awards is the Staff Volunteer of the Year - an award to the CCKids staff member who recorded the most VTO, or Volunteer Time Off.

VTO is CCKids program that encourages staff to volunteer up to four hours of time each month while still being paid.

Denise Natalizio received the award for regularly volunteering to read to children at a local grade school. The owner of a bake shop, she also has created opportunities for people to purchase and donate loaves of bread to foster parents.

Friday's breakfast also launched the organization's Manicure Movement, an annual campaign that raises awareness for the prevention of child abuse. It does that by asking people to paint one fingernail in prevention blue to represent the one in five children who experience abuse by age 18.

Each of those in attendance left with a special Manicure kit with promises to take the campaign to their neighborhoods, companies and social groups.

If you belong to a group and would like to introduce your members to the Manicure Movement, email Christina.Kaiser@cckids.net for more information.

Pictured above is the Kolter Homes team, which participated in the Manicure Movement on
Friday, April 4 thanks to former CCKids Placement Specialist Sarah Chattman (center front, pointing index finger).

Also pictured (top right) is the CCKids' logo peeking out from behind breakfast decor; Hometown News'
Amanda Tucker watching the volunteer awards ceremony (center); and Shardae Tripp, of
Dr. Tripp & Associates, attending the breakfast (bottom). Both the Hometown News and
Dr. Tripp & Associates coordinated gift drives for children in care last Christmas.