Grace (right) and her friend the day she was saved by her new aunt, Krista Karnis. Grace was later adopted by Vici Nadvit.
Grace's Story and Our Beginning
Hi, my name is Grace and I would like to tell you a little bit of my story.
I was left on the streets of Miami all alone. I had to fend for myself for months. I ate bugs, lizards, and anything else I could find to fill my belly. I made a friend in the very same situation as me and we were inseparable!
One day, a nice lady named Krista Karnis came, put us in her car and brought us to a shelter. The shelter gave me food and a doctor gave me medicine. I felt much better, but still had no family.
Weeks later, Krista came back to the shelter to tell me I was going to have a new mom! I am not alone anymore and my belly is always full! I guess you could say I was the inspiration to my new mom, Vici Nadvit, to become the founder of Saving Grace Pet Food Bank, Inc.
Meet The Saving Grace Pet Food Bank, Inc. Team
VICI NADVIT
Founder & Executive DirectorVICI NADVIT
Founder & Executive DirectorOriginally from Strongsville, Ohio, Vici moved to Naples in 1983. She has always had a soft spot in her heart for animals. As a child, her ambition was to be a veterinarian.
Along with Grace, her dog, two affectionate cats call her house their home. Not long ago, she realized there was a need to create an organization that assisted people who owned pets but had fallen into a financial hardship and needed a bit of extra help.
Through rescuing Grace and learning her incredible survival story, Vici realized that no one should have to choose between feeding themselves a meal and feeding their pet. This is when the idea for Saving Grace Pet Food Bank was born. Vici went to work collaborating with her team and bringing Saving Grace Pet Food Bank to life.
KATHY MORAN
PresidentKATHY MORAN
PresidentKathy, originally from Southern New Hampshire has enjoyed the Naples lifestyle for over 20 years.
Her humanitarian nature and skill of working with and for people blossomed when Kathy worked with children as a shelter coordinator at Youth Haven, a facility for abused and neglected children.
Currently, with her son who just completed 5 years in the Navy and daughter attending UCF, she has returned to one of her passions of selling and buying Real Estate at MVP Realty in Naples. Full of enthusiasm and energy to deliver services and results for her customers, she now shares that energy, enthusiasm and empathy for families with pets who are suffering from financial hardships with Saving Grace Pet food Bank.
SAM DEANGELIS
Vice PresidentSAM DEANGELIS
Vice PresidentSam is originally from Lorain, Ohio, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and has lived in the Naples area since 1983. He has four wonderful, successful step children and 7 fantastic grandchildren.
He is recently retired and thrilled to be involved with Saving Grace Pet Food Bank. When the idea of Saving Grace Pet Food Bank was presented to him through Vici Nadvit, it sounded like a wonderful fresh idea to help people who need assistance feeding their pets.
Sam has owned and been around pets most of his adult life and knows how much joy and comfort they can bring to people and become part of their family and is looking forward to aiding people to keep their pets.
