FORT MYERS, Fla. - s4story -- A.N.A.'s Friends recently hosted more than 50 youth for a Heartfelt Hangout aboard Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise on Fort Myers Beach, an experience made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners.

The event gave children and teens an opportunity to transform into pirates for the day while enjoying an interactive cruise filled with sword fighting lessons, pirate games, music, dancing and plenty of laughter alongside Pick Pocket Pete and his pirate crew.

A.N.A.'s Friends created its Heartfelt Hangout program in 2025 to provide vulnerable youth in Southwest Florida with meaningful experiences, activities and social outings they may not otherwise enjoy. Activities are created with a future question in mind: "What was your favorite childhood memory?" Outings seek to create positive, happy memories for children who have experienced challenging moments in their lives.

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"We watched children become pirates for the day, swords in hand, searching for treasure, laughing with the crew and fully believing in the magic of the moment," said A.N.A.'s Friends CEO Jessica Stanfield. "That is exactly what Heartfelt Hangouts are all about. For a few hours, kids got to set sail, be silly, make memories and simply enjoy the kind of childhood adventure every child deserves. Those are the memories they'll hold onto forever."

Heartfelt Hangouts are open to Southwest Florida youth who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Support for the Heartfelt Hangout aboard Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise included the venue itself, as well as the Board of Directors for A.N.A.'s Friends and generous community donors who continue making these experiences possible for local children and teens.

A.N.A.'s Friends relies on support from additional individuals, businesses, foundations and nonprofits to support future Heartfelt Hangout experiences. To learn more, please call 239-245-7787 or visit ANAsfriends.org to make a secure donation.

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About A.N.A.'s Friends

A.N.A.'s Friends is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to vulnerable Southwest Florida children and teens who have been Abused, Neglected and Abandoned (A.N.A.). "Friends" of the organization includes individuals, businesses, foundations and nonprofits that collaborate through partnerships that provide a safer, more nurturing environment allowing youth to heal, grow and thrive. Originally founded in 1984, A.N.A.'s Friends is a United Way Partner Agency that serves youth in the dependency court system across Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For more information, please visit ANAsfriends.org or call 239-245-7787.