On February 15, 2025, Champions For Learning hosted our signature fundraising event, the Night for Champions Gala, at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, where we gathered with over 300 guests to celebrate and support education in Collier County. The partnership and generosity of our community are vital to our mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success.
Because of our community’s dedication to and investment in the future of Collier County, Night for Champions was a record-breaking success and raised over $1.1 million for students and educators in Collier County. Of the over 200 students enrolled in our Student Programs, 89% come from households living at or below the national poverty line. Many are on track to be the first in their families to graduate from high school, let alone enroll in college.
Our Educator Programs work with over 400 educators in traditional public, charter, and private schools in Collier County. Nearly 64% of Collier County Public School students are “economically needy.” These added barriers to education mean that our students are not performing at their full academic potential in the classroom, thereby increasing feelings of stress and fatigue in our teachers.
Tyler Knight, the emcee for the event program was enrolled in Champions For Learning’s Student Programs and now works as the Chief of Staff with Capital Wealth Advisors in Naples. He is also a founding co-chair of the Alumni Council, which aims to support the organization’s work in the community. Tyler introduced Night for Champions guests to several individuals who came up to the stage to speak about the positive impacts Champions For Learning has had on their lives, showcasing the full circle of education. Allison Gerber, a teacher at Barron Collier High School, shared the overwhelming support she receives from our Entrepreneurship Program volunteers and through awarded Classroom Grants that enable her to enhance the learning experience for her students. Isabella Lala, a current senior student, announced her acceptance to Columbia University on a full ride scholarship thanks to the resources and guidance received through our Student Programs. Nicole Reyes, a college student at the University of Miami, reflected on the critical role her Champions For Learning mentor, with whom she still considers a close friend, played in helping her achieve postsecondary success without falling into debt. Finally, Areli Sanjuan, a member of the Champions For Learning Alumni Council, spoke to the long-lasting benefits that supporting educational success provides not only to individual students and educators, but to the future of Collier County.
“The success of Night for Champions was truly made possible because of our community’s dedication to lifting education,” said Barbara Evans, President and CEO of Champions For Learning. “Every single guest who raised a paddle during the evening’s fund-a-need auction is bringing the circle of education to a close with their generosity. During the event, we recognized the incredible generosity of The Schoen Foundation, who awarded us our largest ever gift of $2,500,000 this past fall to the endowment for our programs. Together, we are breaking down barriers to educational attainment and success for our students and educators for years to come. Thank you to all who believe that education is everything.”
Champions For Learning is incredibly grateful to our Graduate Sponsors of Night for Champions: Stock Development and Suncoast Credit Union; Freshman Sponsors: London Bay, Naples Beach Club, Publix Super Market Charities, and Wilson and Johnson; Event Underwriters: B&I Contractors, Inc. and Naples Heart Rhythm Specialist; and Event Sponsors: Capital Wealth Advisors, Comcast NBCUniversal, Devoe Automotive Group, Fifth Third Bank, Florida Gulf Coast University, Naples Illustrated, and Naples Daily News. We thank our sponsors for their support and being a part of this incredible evening.
About Champions For Learning™
Founded in 1990, the Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. Champions For Learning’s Student Programs are designed to equip and prepare students for their future learning and career goals. Champions For Learning’s Educator Programs are designed to value, empower, and support our educators to experience professional success. Recognized as the education foundation serving Collier County by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Champions For Learning serves as a unifying force within the community by driving collective action towards the common goal of student and educator success.
Champions For Learning is a volunteer driven organization. Of the nearly 500 people who volunteer with us each year, more than 240 dedicate two to four hours of their time to our organization every week. With dedicated volunteers and a committed administrative team, Champions For Learning embodies the belief that education is everything! To learn more, visit www.ChampionsForLearning.org.
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