Guadalupe Center DAZZLE’S with 1.5 Million

Dawn Montecalvo, Gabriel, Jasmin, Mikaela,Myita, Myah and Fernando Ramirez

Dazzle, Guadalupe Center’s 2017 signature event, held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, raised a record $1.5 million to benefit the children and families of Immokalee, and to provide critical funding for the Early Childhood Education Program.

Guests heard from a family touched by the Guadalupe Center, met high school Tutor Corps students, saw a performance by Early Childhood Education students, and enjoyed dinner and dancing to the Robert Williamson Band. Mayor Bill Barnett and NBC-2 anchor Kellie Burns emceed the event. “I thought this year’s event was just terrific,” says Guadalupe Board Chair Jim Ledinsky. “Our guests had the chance to meet some of the children, including an entire family, whose lives have been forever changed through our educational programs.”

President and CEO, Dawn Montecalvo, says this event is the most important of the year for funding the need in Immokalee. “We serve 1,100 children a day, but each of our programs has hundreds of other deserving children on the wait list. We have to be able to help more children become school ready, receive academic support when they are in school, and realize their dreams of a college education.”

Bill Boyajian, Megan Becker

Special thanks to presenting sponsor Moglia Family Foundation on behalf of Amy and Paul Heuerman. Other sponsors include: Ametek Foundation, Arthrex, City Mattress, David Meyer Trust, J.P. Morgan, Lee Health Foundation, London Bay Homes, Luma Capital, Merrill Lynch Private Bank, Seminole Casino, and TD Ameritrade. In-kind sponsors include: Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Port Royal Jewelers, Preferred Travel of Naples, and Gulfshore Life. The Guadalupe Center (www.guadalupecenter.org) creates endless possibilities through education in its mission to break the cycle of poverty for the children of Immokalee by providing Early Childhood Education, After-School Tutoring, and college-prep Tutor Corps Program.