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As Collier County recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, there are some students within our county facing a difficult reality. With some losing everything they own in the storm, students are returning to school with no supplies. In response, the community donated enough school supplies and backpacks for around 200 students.

Leaning on the community for support during these trying times, our community did what they do best and supported our students. Within 72 hours, our community responded with more supplies than Champions For Learning thought possible during the wake of a disaster.

St. Monica’s Episcopal Church offered their space for the backpacks and supplies to be dropped off and then packed. Sunday afternoon, community member, alumni and staff of Champions For Learning gathered to stuff the nearly 200 backpacks with school supplies. Within an hour, all the backpacks were ready to be delivered to Collier County students.

The donation of supplies does not stop there! Fenstersheib Law Group, a law firm in Hallandale, Florida, more than 100 miles away, learned of the need of school supplies in our community. The law firm is now donating 400 backpacks already filled with school supplies. With the help from our Collier County community and Fenstersheib Law Group, 600 students will be provided with a backpack full of school supplies.

Supplies that are not used within Collier County will be donated to students in Lee County, the community most significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian.

The outpouring of support from our community at a time like this is a testament to the amazing people within Collier County who truly are 100% in support of student success.

Hurricane Ian has devastated Collier County, many lost everything. With school resuming on October 6th, Collier County’s students and families are in need of school supplies as well as basic supplies. Champions For Learning has created a list of supplies that our Collier students need to ensure their academic success post-storm. We are asking our community to bring newly purchased supplies to St. Monica’s Episcopal Church (7070 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34119), who will be collecting and sorting supplies. The need is great, but we know that our Collier County community will rise to the challenge.

For Elementary School students:

250 backpacks

250 packs of colored pencils

250 packs of dry erase markers

250 scissors

750 glue sticks

500 composition notebooks

250 packs of lined filler paper

250 boxes of tissue

250 sets of markers

1000 packs of pencils

250 packs of disinfectant wipes

1000 pocket folders

School Uniforms:
150 khaki shorts/pants (various sizes)

150 solid polo shirts (various sizes)

For Middle and High School students:

250 backpacks

250 3-ring binders

250 notebooks

750 folders

750 composition books

1000 pens/pencils

Hygiene kits for students and their families:

500 deodorant

500 soap

250 feminine supplies

500 shampoo/conditioner

500 razors/shaving cream

St. Monica’s is located on the corner of Immokalee Rd. and Logan Blvd., a mile east of I-75, and will be open to receive supplies Thursday 10/6 9am – 3pm and Friday 10/7 9am – 4pm.

Any additional supplies received beyond what is needed in Collier County will be donated to Lee County Public Schools.

Champions For Learning is committed to doing everything in our power to support our schools, educators, and students. We are committed to ensuring that our students’ basic needs are met first while being ever so cognizant of their educational needs. If you are inclined to support our general relief efforts, please make a gift at www.ChampionsForLearning.org.

As we navigate through this difficult time following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian, Champions For Learning is here to help our students and their families, teachers, donors, and volunteers. Below are some frequently asked questions as well as resources being provided by Champions For Learning and our community.

General Questions:

Q: Is Champions For Learning open?
A: Yes! The Champions for Learning office is located in a CAT-5 rated building with a generator. We opened our offices the day after the storm for our Collier County nonprofit partners to use as a communication center as we are aware that many cannot use their own space at this time. Thus far, three nonprofits are borrowing our space. If your organization is in need of space, please reach out to info@championsforlearning.org.

Q: Is Champions For Learning giving away supplies?
A: Champions For Learning is working to connect schools, teachers and students with resources. We are also working with St. Monica’s Episcopal Church to collect supplies for Collier County students. You can view a list of supplies needed and how to donate by clicking here.
Click here to for a list of what Collier County Public Schools are doing for the community.

Q: What resources is Champions For Learning offering?
A: There is space here at Champions For Learning for you to use as a hospitality center. We have power, internet, laptops, hot coffee, and people who care and want to help.

Q: Are there any other resources available?
A: Collier County has resources in place to assist you with immediate needs.  You can download the Collier Cares app (colliercares.org) or call 311 for non-emergency assistance.

Q: What do I do if I need assistance with mental health during this time?
A: Champions For Learning can provide you with mental health support. Please feel free to email kcarolan@championsforlearning.org  if you are in need of this resource. Your inquiry will be kept confidential.

Q: Are events at Champions For Learning still happening this month?
A: Champions For Learning will not be hosting any social events in October, including the Meet the CEO event on Thursday, October 6^th and the Glass Slipper reception on Tuesday, October 11^th.  We will keep you posted as these events are rescheduled.

Questions teachers might have:

Q: Is the classroom grant portal still open?
A: Yes, the classroom grant portal is still open. We recognize that you may have new needs due to the storm. Please continue to post requests via the portal. Surprise delivery day will be happening soon.

Questions our students might have:

Q: What can Champions For Learning do for me during this time?
A: Students and families are welcome to come to the office Oct 4th 2-7:30, Oct 5th 1-5pm, Oct 6th 3-5pm to use any of our resources (internet, laptops, hot coffee, and friendly staff that care about you and your family).

Q: When can I meet with my mentor?
A: Champions For Learning mentoring zoom sessions have resumed. Sessions will be offered virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82301363525
Mentor sessions by zoom are canceled October 13th, but will be Monday and Thursday weekly starting on the 17th.  The zoom sessions are available 3pm-6pm, with the last option to join at 5:30pm.

Q: Can I meet with my mentor in person?
A: You are welcome to meet with your mentor at the Champions For Learning Office Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm. Please notify us in advance if you would like to meet with your mentor.

Q: When is the 9^th and 10^th grade Goal Setting Workshop?
A: This workshop will now take place on Oct 20th at 5pm and again at 6pm.

Questions our high school seniors might have:

Q: When will there be lab for 12^th graders?
A: We have open “drop-in” times at our office to complete your FAFSA or work on college and scholarship applications.  Please plan to join us during ONE of the following options:
Oct 4th 2-7:30, Oct 5^th 1-5pm, Oct 6th 3-5pm, and Oct 10th 3-5pm.
Please bring your parents’ 2021 taxes & FASFA ID. You do not need to be here for the full session. These are open options to best meet the needs of our students during this time.

Q: How can I complete my FASFA during this time?
A: We will be holding open labs for students to complete FAFSA, College Applications, or use WIFI/technology. Open Labs this week: Tuesday, October 4^th,  2-7pm, Wednesday, October 5^th, 1-5pm, Thursday, October 6^th,  3-5pm. You can also view a step-by-step video of how to complete the FASFA: https://youtu.be/zLDE-SAde0c (With Spanish subtitles: https://youtu.be/hylZEv7oVdY)

Questions volunteers and mentors might have:

Q: What can I do to help?
A: We are currently in the process of assessing the needs of our students, teachers, and schools, and will share that needs assessment with the community as soon as possible.

Q: When can I meet with my mentee?
A:  Mentor/Mentee Zoom Sessions will be offered Thursday 10/6, 4-6:00 pm. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82301363525
There will be no zoom sessions hosted on 10/13.

Q: Can I visit my mentee at school?
A: Please wait for in-person school visits through next week while the schools re-open. The Champions For Learning office is available 8:30am-5pm for sessions if needed.

Q: When is the next mentor learning session?
A: The next mentor learning session will be Tuesday, October 4^th at 1:00pm. This optional learning session for mentors is about SAT/ACT, AP vs. Dual Enrollment, Bright Futures, TSIC App

The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88447115874  (The session will be recorded if you are unable to attend).

Collier County Public Schools are stepping up to help during these uncertain times. Below is a list of schools that are collecting supplies and schools who are offering help. Check to see what your school is doing!
If your school is collecting supplies, make sure you take your donations to that school.

Elementary Schools

Avalon Elementary: Distributing basic supplies. Food, water, paper towels, toilet paper. Done on 10/2 and 10/3.

Corkscrew Elementary: Collected items on 10/4 to support those in need in our community.

Lake Park Elementary: If you are part of the Lake Park family and in need of supplies, fill out a form by clicking the following link. bit.ly/LPEIan22

Manatee Elementary: Collecting toiletries, cleaning products, grocery/gas gift cards and non-perishable foods.

Naples Park Elementary: Collected items on 10/4 to give to our staff and families in need. Looking for: Gift cards, Large plastic bins with covers, Cleaning supplies, Paper towels, All Hygiene items, Diapers, Sheets, Towels, and Paper supplies. Thanks!

Pelican Marsh Elementary: Collected donations on 10/4 for local families in need.

Pinecrest Elementary: Collecting toiletries, cleaning products, grocery/gas gift cards and non-perishable foods.

Poinciana Elementary: Poinciana Pelican Families! We are here to help! Please fill out the form below with your needs. https://forms.office.com/r/yPEX3jYXqd

Sea Gate Elementary: Seahorse families, we are here to support you!  Please fill out the form below with your needs! forms.office.com/r/cH4eVwepKM

Shadowlawn Elementary: An Amazon Wishlist has been created for items needed: https://amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/36XO6Q0S22CBZ?ref_=wl_share

Tommie Barfield Elementary: Collected items on 10/4.

Veterans Memorial Elementary: If your family is in need of anything please email Ms. Vieira directly with the specific need(s), vieiraje@collierschools.com. We understand many of you may not know what you need just yet as you are in the process of post-hurricane clean up but as you do please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly! This information for both student families and staff families will remain anonymous with only administration knowing whom donations are needed for. Please know your VME family is here to support you if you are in need of anything!

Middle Schools

Cypress Palm Middle: Collected supplies on 10/4. Asking for non-perishable food, water, clothing, shoes, toilet paper, toiletries, cleaning products, garbage bags, towels.

East Naples: Donate or Pick Up: Thursday and Friday from 9am til 4pm!

Manatee Middle: Stated on Twitter, “Please let us know what you need”.

Oakridge Middle: Collecting items to distribute to local schools with the greatest needs. Collected items on 10/4. Asking for bread, peanut butter, jelly, Ramen Noodles, Pasta, rice, pinto beans, fresh fruit, dry milk, water, Gatorade, juice, canned goods, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby items.

Pine Ridge Middle: Taking a collection of clothes, toiletries, shoes, undergarments, towels and diapers! Please help by dropping off items to our MPR on 10/5 and 10/6 from 8 am-11am.

High Schools

Barron Collier High: Taking donations Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They are looking for clothing, blankets, non-perishable food and cleaning supplies. If you are in need of supplies, please email dawesro@collierschools.com  

If you do not see your school on the list above, that means we do not have any information if they are collecting or distributing supplies. Please reach out to us at info@championsforlearning.com to add what your school is doing to help!

The vision of Champions For Learning is a community that is 100% engaged in support of student success. We have been actively assessing how we can best respond as “second responders.” We are learning that many of our students and teachers have lost everything, including several members of our team. We are working with Collier County Public Schools to compile a list of most needed items. Once we have this list, we will share it with you. We are committed to doing everything in our power to support our educators.

The Champions for Learning office is structurally sound, watertight, and operational thanks to a generator. We have opened our offices to Collier County nonprofit partners to use a communication center as we are keenly aware that many cannot use their own office space.

We are committed to ensuring that our students’ basic needs are met first while being ever so cognizant of their educational needs. Sadly, we have canceled our first FAFSA completion event. We have created a step-by-step online tutorial that can be accessed anytime. We anticipate doing more online tutorials to keep our students on track as much as possible. As we learn more about our students’ needs, we will provide the necessary resources to ensure their academic success.

We are grateful for the many calls, text messages, and emails offering support. If you are inclined to support our relief efforts, please make a gift HERE.

Thank you for being a Champion For Learning! Together, we will make a difference for our educators and students.

The Saturday 10/1 FAFSA Completion event at Lely High has been canceled.

There are two upcoming Saturday FAFSA Completion Events being offered: October 8^th at Palmetto Ridge High and October 22^nd at Lorenzo Walker Technical High, both 9am – 12noon.

Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Lorenzo Walker Technical College admissions staff will be on-site providing admission application fee waivers. FSW and LWTC will even be offering on-site instant admissions decisions!

If you are a High School Senior and unable to attend an in-person FAFSA Completion Event, Champions For Learning has created a Step-by-Step FAFSA Completion Online Tutorial available here: https://youtu.be/zLDE-SAde0c (https://youtu.be/hylZEv7oVdY Spanish subtitles added).

Just coming out of a pandemic, and now enduring the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Collier County students have been through so much. Champions For Learning is committed to student success and we look forward to getting students the support they need.

The impacts of Hurricane Ian have been devastating and we are facing a long recovery. Champions For Learning is committed to being “second responders,” ready and able to help continue education and life-changing learning experiences throughout our county.

We are currently assessing how we can best support our teachers and students in Collier County. We know that several Collier County Public Schools are serving as shelters and several have experienced damage. We have reached out to Dr. Patton to learn how we can best support our teachers and students. As we learn what the needs are, we will share how you can help us.

Together, we will make a difference for our teachers and students. Thank you for being a Champion For Learning!

Champions For Learning is honored to announce this year’s Champions for learning as well as the Heart of the Apple Recipient. These are individuals who have helped change the lives of Collier County students. Congratulations to this amazing group of community leaders!

Heart of the Apple Recipient:

Gary Personette

Gary has been a volunteer since 2012, beginning with the Golden Gate High School Pilot project. He has mentored 5 Champions For Learning students. He has been a Board member, an Ambassador, a selection committee volunteer, a financial aid coach, and an event volunteer. Gary was instrumental in bringing the IncubatorEDU Entrepreneurship program to Collier County Public Schools, which prepares students to be creative and resilient problem solvers and critical thinkers. This program has

grown exponentially under Gary’s guidance over the past several years, this year expanding to all CCPS Elementary Schools.

Champions:

Pat Botthof
Pat has been a volunteer since early 2017, first serving as an event volunteer for Night of Champions. Since then, she has fulfilled several volunteer roles, including mentoring and serving on the ambassador council to support outreach and retention efforts.

Braulio Colón
As Vice President of Florida Student Success Initiatives, Braulio has facilitated a partnership with Champions For Learning to further improve college-prep and completion rates for limited-income, first-generation and underrepresented students in SWFL.

Ritch Cuvier
Ritch is a graduate from Champions For Learning / Take Stock in Children 11^th grade Program. He currently works in IT for John R. Wood Properties. Ritch has been an active alumni volunteer, participating in networking opportunities and sharing his experience as a Champions For Learning graduate.

Serge Ecityan
Serge is on the board for Champions For Learning, and is actively involved in the Champions Advisory Council, Planned Giving Committee, Take Stock in Children Selection Committee, and the Classroom Grant Selection Committee. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst with BMO Wealth Management, which has sponsored Champions’ graduation event, Countdown to Cap & Gown, for the past 6 years.

Kim & Gary Price
Kim and Gary have supported Champions For Learning over the years in a number of ways; Gary has Chaired the Night of Champions, served on the Professional Advisors Network and Golden Apple Selection Committee, and both Kim and Gary’s businesses have been donors and event sponsors.

Marti & Gordon Watson
Marti and Gordon have been involved with Champions For Learning and the Take Stock program in the roles of mentor, selection committee members and donors since they came to Naples over 20 years ago. Gordon & Marti helped to build the relationship with FSW that lead to the TSIC 11^th grade pilot.

These individuals will be honored at Champions For Learning’s signature event, Night of Champions on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Last month Bailey M., a senior from Naples High School, chose to spend his community service hours making 28 cards for local kindergarten students. 

These cards were delivered by Champions For Learning to Sea Gate Elementary, the same elementary school Bailey attended.

“Starting school can be intimidating. For these Sea Gate kindergarten students, having beautifully drawn, encouraging cards from a 12^th grade student reminded them that everyone starts at the same place. They loved the colorful cards,” shared Amy Snyder, Executive Director of Educator Programs at Champions For Learning.

Bailey made each card colorful with drawings of school supplies with a note inside, “Welcome to Kindergarten! Have fun and enjoy your year. Be kind and respect your teacher.”

Bailey said, “I wanted to include a message on the inside, but I wasn’t really sure how well they could read. So, I just tried to keep it pretty simple.”

The idea of making 28 cards for kindergarteners in Collier County came from a website the Collier County Public School District uses to communicate service opportunities with students. Many of the volunteer opportunities offered to high school students are as a result of an earlier collaborative effort through Future Ready Collier (FRC) to aid students in their search for approved service hours towards scholarships and other opportunities.

Champions For Learning is a partner and the backbone organization supporting Future Ready Collier, a network of organizations, businesses, schools and community members working to ensure every child in Collier County is ready for kindergarten, and every young person enters adulthood with a vision and a plan to accomplish that vision.

To learn more about Future Ready Collier, visit FutureReadyCollier.org