Page 50 - Life in Naples November 2018

Camps were a learning experience for

The Immokalee Foundation students

by Noemi Perez

change of scenery was in order for 12 students who ventured to Students are able to
the Northeast for camps through The Immokalee Foundation. experience the world in
A Mountains were on the horizon, lakes were outside their meaningful ways due
cabin doors, and forests were beckoning their exploration at Camp to the generosity of the
Deerwood in New Hampshire and Kingsley Pines camps in Maine. nonprofit’s supporters
For most, it was the first trip outside of Immokalee. Each during their major
spent three weeks outdoors in places where electronic screens were fundraising events –
replaced by campfires. Like other foundation programs, campers the Charity Classic
were chosen based upon grades, involvement and accountability. Celebration gala and
Students wrote essays to apply for a chance to go to camp. auction, scheduled at
In addition to meeting friends from different places and cultures, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, on November 9, and the November 12
“Our students were exposed to an array of exciting activities, such Pro-Am golf tournament at Bay Colony Golf Club.
as kayaking, paddleboarding, rope swinging, swimming and tubing,” The Charity Classic Celebration provides opportunities to support
said Amber Barr, The Immokalee Foundation’s program services students through Fund A Dream™, a unique live bidding experience
director. “Students also participated in arts and theater activities, that enables donors to contribute to the future of Immokalee’s
such as dance, drawing and pottery, hiking, canoeing and mountain children in specific and tangible ways. The Fund A Dream™ auction
biking. Through these camps our students were able to not just supports many important programs such as Immokalee Readers, career
experience a new surrounding, but also learn new skills, build development opportunities, internships, and scholarships for college,
character and create lifelong friendships.” vocational programs and professional certifications designed to lead
A few students were attending summer camp for a second time. young people to professional careers and financial independence.
Daniela Flores made her second trip to Kingsley Pines. Both Tickets to the Charity Classic Celebration are $550 per person.
times were great, she said, but this trip was even more special The Charity Classic Pro-Am will feature more than two
because “this year I got to be part of this thing called the ‘older girls dozen of the world’s greatest golfers – including headliners
circle’ and I made friendships that I think will last a lifetime.” Annika Sorenstam and Bryson DeChambeau – who are paired
Since she returned to with Southwest Florida’s most philanthropic players for a day of
Immokalee, people can tell camaraderie in support of the foundation’s programs.
she has changed, she said. Foursomes of amateur golfers will learn which professionals
“At camp I met all they will be paired with for the first and second nine holes of play
these people who told me during an exclusive pairings party on November 11 at The Old
so much stuff I didn’t know Collier Golf Club.
about – I even learned For sponsorship and ticketing information, call 239-430-9122 or
from people who went to email info@immokaleefoundation.org.
my school,” Flores said. Corporate sponsors of this year’s events are Kelly Tractor,
“Before I went I was more Presenting Sponsor; BCB Homes, Florida Community Bank and
closed-minded. I wasn’t so open to meeting new people. Huntington Private Bank, Success Circle Sponsors; BMO Private
“Going there changed my experience about meeting people Bank and IBERIABANK, Pathways Circle Sponsors; and eBella
and about being open to those wanting to be friends. I was out of Magazine, Media Sponsor.
my comfort zone, but now I’m not so closed. Being independent The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education
is not as scary anymore. Going alone changed how I saw things programs that focus on building pathways to professional
too. I feel more confident in my own self now,” she said. careers through support, mentoring and tutoring, and life skills
Joel Guerrero was among the 10 students who attended development leading to economic independence. To learn
Kingsley Pines Camp. It was Guerrero’s second camping more about The Immokalee Foundation, its signature events,
experience and he renewed a friendship with a boy he had met volunteering as a career panel speaker or host, becoming a
two years ago. “Now he was 6-foot-2,” Guerrero said. “He was mentor, making a donation, including the foundation in your
taller than me before, but he really, really grew since then.” estate plans, or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 or
Oswaldo Santana is 13 and was a little bit nervous about being away visit https://immokaleefoundation.org.
from home so long. But it didn’t take him long to settle in, he said, and
enjoy field trips, in particular. One two-day hike on a mountain was Noemi Perez, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation, can
particularly memorable. “It was very different from Florida.” be reached at noemi.perez@immokaleefoundation.org.

50 Life in Naples | November 2018