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Joyce Hagen, board chair for The Immokalee Foundation,
has led the effort to expand the organization’s career based
programming to help students achieve financial independence
with or without a college education. “We are starting to educate
the youth of Immokalee in sixth grade about the
career pathways that lead to well paying jobs right
here in Southwest Florida,” Hagen said. “Our
programming involves the parents, as well, forming
a partnership that helps ensure each student
achieves his or her goals. We remain committed to
Take Stock in Children college scholarships, while
recognizing that not all students need a college
degree to succeed in their chosen profession.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s
generosity,” said Noemi Perez, The Immokalee
Foundation executive director. “Every dollar raised
is an investment in the future of our students, and
we are dedicated to helping each one achieve his or
her professional goal.”
Paul Azinger, lead golf analyst for NBC Sports
and 12-time PGA winner, this year played in his
first Charity Classic Pro-Am. “The more I read and
understand what The Immokalee Foundation is all
about, the more I want to get behind it,” Azinger
said. “I’ve always been motivated to help young
people.”
Many pro players were alumni of many years,
supporting the Immokalee Foundation students.
LPGA champion Annika Sorenstam expressed her
delight at “being around people who are very caring,
and very generous.”
Barbara and Dale Morrison co-chaired the
Charity Classic Celebration, while Bay Colony
member Sunny Sapiente chaired the Pro-Am
tournament.
Corporate sponsors of this year’s events were
Kelly Tractor, Presenting Sponsor; BCB Homes,
Pairings Party Sponsor; Florida Community Bank
and Huntington Private Bank, Success Circle
Sponsors; BMO Private Bank and IBERIABANK, Pathways
Circle Sponsors; eBella Magazine, Media Sponsor; and The
Ritz-Carlton Naples, Bigham Jewelers, Gene’s 5th Ave. Florist,
Hamilton Harbor and Mercedes-Benz of Naples, In-Kind Donors.

The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education programs
that focus on building pathways to professional careers through support,
mentoring and tutoring, and life skills development leading to economic
independence. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation,
its signature events, volunteering as a career panel speaker or host,
becoming a mentor, making a donation, including the foundation in
your estate plans, or for additional information, call 239.430.9122 or
visit https://immokaleefoundation.org.
Noemi Y. Perez, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation,
can be reached at noemi.perez@immokaleefoundation.org.
Jennifer and Tony Fassino, CAT Vice-President of Building Construction
Products, at The Immokalee Foundation’s Charity Classic Celebration

Life in Naples | January 2019 91