Mark your calendars, the next Friends of Tigertail beach cleanup will be held from 8 until 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6.
Allie Delventhal with Friends of Friends of Tigertail recommends wearing shoes that may get wet; to wear sunscreen and a hat and to bring your own water container to help reduce waste.
Youth participants will receive a certificate of appreciation.
Attendees should meet at the Tigertail Beach Kiosk.
For more information, visit FriendsofTigertail.com. For parking information,
collierparks.com/collier_park/beach-parking-information/.
Rhinestone Rodeo returns in 2026
The Rhinestone Rodeo will be at the Island Country Club in Marco Island from 5 until 9 p.m., Jan. 4.
Entertainment will be provided by the Back Country Boys, a Southwest Florida band known for their high-energy performances of blending country, rock ’n’ roll, and pop. They will kick off the night during the cocktail hour from 5 until 6:30 p.m.
Rick Gallo, a renowned auctioneer, leads the live auction. Guests can try the mechanical bull, play games and have the opportunity to raise funds during the Heads or Tails game.
Proceeds from the Rhinestone Rodeo will directly benefit Our Daily Bread Food Pantry’s programs and services and their ongoing efforts to provide nutritious, high- quality food to families in need on Marco Island and throughout southern Collier County.
“We are excited to celebrate our third annual Rhinestone Rodeo with so many partners and friends,” said Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, EdD, executive director of Our Daily Bread.
Learn more at https://app.betterunite.com/ourdailybreadfoodpantry-ourdailybreadfoodpantryrhinestonerodeo2025-1.
Warrior Homes buys apartment complex for veterans
Warrior Homes of Collier is one step closer to ending veteran homelessness in Collier County after making a major announcement at its recent Hope & Honor Gala. The nonprofit revealed that it is under contract to purchase a 10-unit apartment building that will house 20 veterans beginning no later than mid-2026.
Calling it the Zulu Project, Warrior Homes, along with the support of the PulteGroup of Southwest Florida, will undertake a nearly $3 million project to purchase and renovate the building. Expected to begin by mid-December, the renovations should take approximately 3-6 months.
“We are thrilled to be able to launch this project for homeless veterans here in Collier County,” said Dale Mullin, a retired Vietnam veteran, founder and president of Warrior Homes of Collier. “Our goal starting six years ago was to end veteran homelessness in Collier County. With the assistance of our supporters on the Zulu Project we see that goal being reached in 2026.”
To learn more about Warrior Homes of Collier visit WWCollier.org.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Now You Know: Tigertail cleanup, Rhinestone Rodeo, Warrior Homes
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to the Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
