Latchkey League Honors Myra Janco Daniels
The Latchkey League held their annual Sweetheart Soriee honoring the non-profit organization’s founder Myra Janco Daniels on February 16 at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples. Over 200 guests were in attendance to offer congratulations to Myra as she was honored for her endless volunteer work.
“The event was the first time that the Latchkey League has honored Myra,” noted Betty Bailey, President of the Latchkey League. “The non-profit organization gained its 501 c (3) status five years ago and it seemed our fifth anniversary was the appropriate time to honor its founder.”
The evening included performances from the Barron Collier High School Jazz Band, Opera Naples Youth Chorus and a special performance by pianist Jodie DeSalvo. Proclamations for her achievements in founding Latchkey League were presented by the City of Naples as well as the Collier County Commissioners, and a State of Florida Senate proclamation was also presented. The Salvation Army presented Myra with four stars making her an honorary Colonel for life.
The Latchkey League began as a grass roots effort in 2011 when Myra accepted the chairmanship of the Salvation Army’s effort to build a youth center. The task set before her was to lead a capital campaign with a goal of $5 million dollars. By 2012, she had secured the lead gift of $2.2 million to start the project.
In the summer of 2015, under Myra’s leadership, $5 million dollars was raised to meet the campaign goal. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in April 2016 with the building officially opening to serve local ‘latchkey’ children on April 7, 2017.
The youth center, named The Fran Cohen Youth Center after a generous donor, supports after-school programs for up to 175 children Monday through Friday and their summer programs serve over 400 children.
Latchkey League membership hosts luncheons and events to help continue supporting after school programs at the Youth Center. Children can choose to attend classes for music, computers, art, culinary, and tutoring Monday through Friday, and daily during the summer vacation months.
For additional information, contact Betty A. Bailey, President, bann652@aol.com or visit the website www.latchkeyleague.org.
