It was a joyous Christmas Day for hundreds of local underprivileged children who found gifts under the tree thanks to the big-hearted support of a group of Fiddler’s Creek homeowners.

For the 11th consecutive year, homeowners of the luxury, master-planned community collected and delivered toys and other gifts by the van full to Manatee Elementary School in East Naples.

This year, a record amount of items – approximately 500 – were delivered to the school for distribution to the young students and their siblings. Items included games, dolls, trucks, educational toys, stuffed animals, bikes and scooters, blocks, balls and other athletic items.

“The toy drive began as a means for Fiddler’s Creek homeowners and staff to work together on a volunteer project that would benefit children in the Naples area, and we are delighted with how it has grown over the years,” said Aubrey J. Ferrao, Managing Member of Fiddler’s Creek, LLC. “By actively volunteering in the community and giving back their personal time and talents, Fiddler’s Creek residents often discover that they are the ones who receive by helping others.”

Each year, residents of Fiddler’s Creek and other organizations around town collect as many gifts as they can for the kids, whose parents are not as fortunate to be able to afford them on their own. The toy drive makes it possible for every child to be happy on Christmas morning.

Once delivered to the school, holiday gifts are distributed over two well-orchestrated days in which the unwrapped items are divided based on age and gender. Then, parents visit the portable “toy store” located on the school premises to pick up items with dignity and pride.

Fiddler’s Creek has been selected as one of “America’s Top 100 Best Master-Planned Communities” by Retirenet.com, a leading online network of active retirement communities.

Fiddler’s Creek was one of just 23 master-planned communities throughout the state of Florida and the only community in the Naples/Collier County area to be included on the list. It was specifically recognized for its community amenities, including restaurants/food services, planned activities, fitness center, pools/spas, golf course, and beach and boating opportunities.

Established in 1995, Retirenet.com is the world’s largest online network of active retirement, independent living, assisted living and community based retirement services. Its current list of member communities tops 103,000. The complete list of the Best Communities can be found at http://www.retirenet.com/top100.

The luxury, master-planned community of Fiddler’s Creek has enhanced its Realtor participation program by utilizing a patented technology by Agent Shield, to better connect with real estate agents in promoting Fiddler’s Creek.

Paid for by Fiddler’s Creek, Agent Shield is a free service to all real estate agents and brokers. With this service, agents receive their own personalized version of fiddlerscreek.com to use as a marketing tool. This personalized website features the agent’s name and contact information. All customer leads that fill out on the contact form are then sent directly to the referring agent.

With the free web tools, email tools and widgets, Agent Shield makes it easy for real estate agents to market the Fiddler’s Creek community both locally and around the world. Agent Shield provides each real estate professional with their own unique centralized branded online portal where the agents and brokers can go to access tools and information to increase sales.

“We encourage brokers and agents to work with us in promoting Fiddler’s Creek,” said Aubrey J. Ferrao, President and CEO of Fiddler’s Creek, LLC. “To demonstrate our commitment to this ongoing partnership, we work with Agent Shield in providing a more agent-friendly website utilizing state-of-the-art technology that can assist Realtors and their new home prospects.”

Realtors interested in getting their own personalized version of the Fiddler’s Creek website may visit www.fiddlerscreek.com and click on the “Realtor” button at the bottom of the homepage.

Construction is nearing completion on the first model home within Runaway Bay, a village of 98 luxury single-family homes situated along The Creek and Creek Golf Course at Fiddler’s Creek.

Offered by national homebuilder Lennar Homes, the residences at Runaway Bay will boast a classical Mediterranean exterior along with an extensive list of standard features. Four unique floor plans are currently available, each offering spacious three and four bedroom floor plans.

The Bougainvillea is a fully furnished model home professionally decorated by Jill Cotton of Soco Interiors. The one-story residence will offer 2,800 air-conditioned square feet with three bedrooms, three baths and a study. The home also features an expansive great room, separate dining room, and screen covered lanai with optional pool/spa package and optional summer kitchen.

The base price of the Bougainvillea is currently $604,990. Completion of the fully furnished model is expected in mid-January.

The Camellia is a one-story residence offering 3,043 air-conditioned square feet. This home features four bedrooms and three baths, plus a study. There also is a spacious family room with adjoining kitchen and breakfast nook and separate living room along with a screen covered lanai with the optional pool and spa package. The Camellia is currently priced from $634,990.

The Lantana, a two-story residence will encompass 3,542 air-conditioned square feet. It offers four bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths, study and lanai, plus a bonus room with a base price of $674,990.

The Laurel, another model professionally decorated by Soco Interiors is the largest residence offered in Runaway Bay encompassing 3,659 air-conditioned square feet over two stories. The home features three bedrooms, four baths and a study located around a centrally located family room, living room and gourmet kitchen. There also is a screen covered lanai, plus a bonus room. The base price of the Laurel is currently $704,990.

Each residence in Runaway Bay will be constructed of steel reinforced concrete block and will feature concrete tile roofs and brick paver driveways along with a spacious three-car garage.

Runaway Bay homes are among Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” designs which have recently been enhanced to include even more luxury features and upgrades, at no additional charge. Standard interior design features include Howe style wood casing, Victorian style baseboard, crown molding in living areas, wood closet shelving, diagonal ceramic tile flooring, granite bathroom vanity tops, designer bath faucets and light fixtures, and a home security system.

Available options include a summer kitchen with fireplace, Monogram GE luxury appliances, an upgraded tile, granite and cabinet package, and Ponderosa Pine ceilings in the lanai and entry.

Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, explained, “In addition to the opportunity to enjoy world-class beach, boating, golf, Fiddler’s Creek homeowners can enjoy the resort pools, dining options, tennis and world-class social events. Runaway Bay home designs have helped make Fiddler’s Creek one of the most successful and desirable communities in the Naples/Ft. Myers area. The homes tout ‘the best of the best million dollar lifestyle for a fraction of the cost’ with stunning exterior stone on each home and pre-cast and colors reminiscent of Italy.”

Homes situated along The Creek also have a dock option at the time of purchase. The Creek allows for electric boats, kayaks and canoes for Fiddler’s Creek homeowners to enjoy at their leisure. Other residences within Runaway Bay will offer expansive views of The Creek Course.

The master planned golf community of Fiddler’s Creek has quickly become Naples most popular destination for homebuyers seeking luxury living in a sophisticated environment. Respected builder Lennar offers four spectacular single-family home designs that have their famed “Everything’s Included” package of extras, all at no additional fee. Priced from the mid $300’s, they offer the best of both worlds – single-family luxury and affordable, enviable living. That, combined with an extensive list of golf, marina and country club amenities in the area, has made Fiddler’s Creek a favorite among those seeking the distinctive and exclusive Naples’ lifestyle.

Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, explained, “In addition to world-class golf and all other leisure amenities one would expect at a major, master-planned community, Lennar’s choice selection of home designs has helped make Fiddler’s Creek one of the most successful and popular country club communities in the Naples/Ft. Myers area.”

Fiddler’s Creek is a world-class vacation lifestyle destination centered on golfing and its picturesque Gulf Shore location near Marco Island. Lennar’s executive homes at this location tout the best of the best million dollar lifestyle for a fraction of the cost with stunning exterior stone on each home and pre-cast and colors reminiscent of Italy.

The homes have generous living areas ranging from 1,649 – 2,246 square feet with 2-4 bedrooms and at least 2 full bathrooms in each of its four floor plans: The Nina, The Sophia, The Isabella and The Victoria. All homes are designed on one convenient floor and contain many popular features including hurricane impact glass windows, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and crown molding in living areas, just to name a few.

The Nina makes smart use of its 1,649 square feet where the aesthetic lanai is seen from the far side of the home once you enter the front door. This floor plan perfectly fits 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a den along with a cozy kitchen nook. This home is designed for entertaining with its large great room and dining room nestled along the lanai patio. The master suite is ideal with a very spacious walk-in closet that provides a nice walk through to the master bath.

The Sophia boasts 2,032 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, ideal for a growing family and designed for entertaining with the lanai spilling out of its massive family room. The master suite is a couple’s dream with dual sinks, an over-sized, sunken tub and a huge walk-in closet that rivals the size of the other bedrooms. This model has a kitchen island containing a dual sink and wide countertop for gourmet parties or kids homework projects.

The Isabella, another one of Lennar’s amazing executive floor plans, is the largest Millbrook style home spanning throughout 2,246 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a roomy den and an amazing great room that flows effortlessly from the kitchen and dining areas into the backyard lanai. The master bath has a his and hers sink on opposite sides of the sunken bathtub.

The Victoria floor plan is impressively efficient with 1,850 square feet containing 2 bedrooms plus den, and 2 bathrooms plus an additional outdoor pool bathroom. The master bath contains two sinks and a sunken tub, and the great room is enormous seamlessly connecting the kitchen, dining room and lanai together.

The exterior architectural features and sidewalk appeal make all the homes quite inviting and are usually only found on homes costing much, much more.

The Fiddler’s Creek homes are among Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” designs which have recently been enhanced to include even more luxury features and upgrades, at no additional charge, such as enhanced energy-efficient construction materials, crown molding, designer window coverings, marble windowsills, nickel satin-finish hardware, supreme Sherwin-Williams interior paint package, green-certified Mohawk flooring including upgraded carpet and padding, Schlage security and convenience package, automatic sprinkler system, automatic garage door, impact glass windows and doors, built-in wall pest control system and more.

Amenities offered at Fiddler’s Creek include a 54,000-square-foot Club & Spa, fitness center, resort style multi-pool swimming complex, tennis courts, tot lot and restaurants. Homeowners also have the opportunity to join the Golf Club, ranked in Golfweek’s 100 Best Residential Golf Courses in the country for the eighth consecutive year, and the Tarpon Club, which offers residents a beach and boating lifestyle.

Founded in 1954, Lennar is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Miami, Florida-based company has built over 800,000 homes in more than 54 cities coast to coast. Lennar is especially well-known for the “Everything’s Included” homes which have recently been enhanced to include many more features and greater energy efficiency and technology, at no additional charge. Buyers also enjoy the advantages of the in-house financial services of Universal American Mortgage Company and North American Title Company. Additionally, Lennar.com gives prospective buyers instant access to over 800 Lennar Communities nationwide and the ability to chat live with a Lennar Internet New Home Consultant.

D.R. Horton has initiated construction on its next model home in Chiasso, a distinctive village of single-family residences located within the Fiddler’s Creek luxury, master-planned community.

The Washington will serve as D.R. Horton’s new fully furnished model following the sale of the builder’s first model in Chiasso. Designed by One of a Kind Design Inc., the model features many upgrades to showcase the level of options currently available in the Chiasso series, including an optional outdoor winter kitchen and optional pool and spa with direct views of a tranquil lake.

The Washington encompasses 2,788 square feet of living space. The residence will feature three bedrooms, a den, and three and a half baths located just steps off of a spacious great room. The home also features a separate den/study and formal dining room with inviting covered entries and a two-car garage. The base price for the Washington is currently $529,990.

Located within the beautiful Veneta section of Fiddler’s Creek, the village of Chiasso offers a sanctuary of peace and the pinnacle of luxury. Intertwined with waterways, Chiasso offers 59 homesites with stunning views of pristine lakes and streams. The neighborhood features four individual floor plans, ranging from 2,583 square feet under air to 3,522 square feet under air.

The Emerson is the largest home available in Chiasso with 3,522 air-conditioned square feet. This move-in-ready home features a Classic Mediterranean style with three bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a two-car garage. The residence also offers many upgraded features such as the pool and spa, outdoor shower, pool bath on lanai, wood floors in the master bedroom and tile throughout the main living areas. There also is a second story bonus/loft area with morning bar that can be used for a home theatre. The Emerson is currently priced at $700,367 and D.R. Horton will pay the Foundation Membership Fee of $15,000 at the closing.

The Madison also is a move-in-ready home encompassing 3,246 air conditioned square feet. This lakefront home features three bedrooms and a den, four baths and a large entrance foyer that leads to an open living and dining room with contemporary finishes throughout. The bedrooms are situated in separate corners of the home to ensure privacy and the den is large enough to accommodate an alternate fourth bedroom located directly off of the covered lanai with sliders leading to the pool and spa. The Madison is currently priced at $658,729 and D.R. Horton will pay the Foundation Membership Fee of $15,000 at the closing.

The Hawthorne offers 2,583 air conditioned square feet and emphasizes southern style Florida living. This move-in ready home offers three bedrooms and a den, three and a half baths, and a great room styled plan with wood floors throughout the main areas and a breakfast nook off of the kitchen area. The home also features an oversized covered lanai with pool and gas spa and a lakefront setting as well as a three-car garage. The Hawthorne is currently priced at $660,207 and D.R. Horton will pay the Foundation Membership Fee of $15,000 at the closing.

Each residence within the village of Chiasso will be built of structurally engineered reinforced concrete block wall construction with high profile concrete roof tiles. Each home will also feature brick paver driveways and walkways. Interior design features will include a luxury kitchen with granite counter tops and cabinets with decorative finishes; designer bath fixtures and cultured marble countertops; ceramic tile flooring; and a number of energy saving features.

D.R. Horton is also building within the village of Amador, an enclave of 38 classical Mediterranean style single-family homes offering a choice of three expansive three-bedroom floorplans, ranging from 1,840 A/C square feet to 2,738 A/C square feet. Move-in-ready homes are available for those families anxious to experience the world-class resort lifestyle at Fiddler’s Creek.