Now You Know: Final swamp walks; Charity Classic Gala raises $2.3M
You still have a chance to book a swamp walk with the Friends of Fakahatchee. The final two for the season are Monday, Feb. 12 and Monday, March 11.
The $75 tours begin at 9:30 a.m. with an interpretive ride on the Friends’ Ghost Rider Tram to the site of the swamp walk where guides lead participants on a 90-minute swamp walk. Following the walk, participants board the tram for the return trip through Florida’s largest state park.
The tour concludes at 1:30 p.m.
This offering combines the rolling lecture of the tram tour with a swamp walk that gives participants a real taste of the Fakahatchee.
“It is especially tailored for folks who may have been procrastinating about going on a swamp walk,” said Executive Director Francine Stevens.
For complete details and required advance reservations at $75 per person, visit orchidswamp.org and click “Tours and Events.” For additional information, call 239-695-1023.
Immokalee Foundation’s Charity Classic Gala raises $2.3M
The Immokalee Foundation has announced that their 2024 Charity Classic, “The Power of Education Gala,” raised over $2.3 million—the highest total ever achieved for the annual event.
Held at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Tiburón, the funds will support the Foundation's diverse programming in their time-honored effort to transform young lives and support the educational needs of over 1,300-plus students in Immokalee.
For over 32 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100 percent focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education. The Foundation provides new pathways to success and financial independence through robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management and Healthcare.
“This is an incredible achievement that wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of a very gracious Southwest Florida community,” said Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation. “By investing in education, we are investing in the future of our community and ensuring that young people have the tools they need to succeed professionally and achieve financial freedom.”
The event was co-chaired by Carol and Thomas Joseph and Eileen and Dr. Brian Voynick, with the gentlemen also serving as emcees.
Many of our guests were first-time gala attendees, observed Eileen and Dr. Brian Voynick. Having the opportunity to expose more people to the Foundation was one of our goals. We want to see the programs expand and create opportunities for more students to benefit from The Immokalee Foundation.
Carol Joseph, who also serves on The Immokalee Foundation's Board of Directors, and her husband, Thomas, agree. “We have always directed our time, talent, and treasure to the needs of children, particularly education. Education is the pathway to each individual's well-being and success. Seeing the generosity on display that evening was heartwarming, and it made us proud to be a part of it.”
The Immokalee Foundation's Charity Classic Pro-Am Golf Tournament, including a Pairings Party on Nov. 17, followed by the golf tournament on Nov. 18, both at Bay Colony Golf Club.
For more information, call 239-430-9122.
As for the importance of supporting the Foundation's annual signature events, the Josephs thoughtfully added: "This is one of the best investments a person can make in changing the lives of a student, a family, and an entire community."
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: Final swamp walks; Charity Classic Gala raises $2.3M
