Charity for Change’s Enchantment in the Rainforest gala with a theme “planting seeds of humanity” raised $177,425 Nov. 16 at Quail West Golf & Country Club to support more than 5,000 students throughout Collier County who participate in Charity for Change’s after-school, summer school, preschool and in-school programs.
Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour with a silent auction, interactive trivia-style games, dancing and dinner. After 135 guests viewed the preview of a video about the serious impact of Charity for Change programs, a cash call raised $35,000 that was matched by the William Rosenberg Family Foundation.
During dinner, auctioneer Howard Schwartz sold a signed guitar by artist James Taylor, several trips, an Elton John concert package and a wine dinner. Interactive games after dinner included mad gab, wine trivia and rainforest animals and had everyone at each table working cooperatively and competitively. Giver Bingo was played for people who bought bingo cards with the chance to win a $1,000 gift certificate to Capital Grille.
Charity for Change’s Program is an evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum involving coordinated class, schoolwide, family and community participation that develops key SEL skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. Pre-and post-tests of children in the after-school program at Guadalupe Center in Immokalee for the 2018-2019 year showed an increase in character trait knowledge of 40%.
State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo and John Passidomo were honorary chairs, and Becky Sharon, was the event’s chair. The event emcee was Lois Thome, news anchor for WINK-TV. The event’s committee members were Kathy Feinstein, Jennifer Lofstrand, Caroline Marino, Sonya Sawyer.
Sponsors included: Home-Tech, FineMark National Bank & Trust, First Florida Integrity Bank, Kathy & Eric Feinstein, John R. Wood Properties, Chris Lecca Realtor, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., The Naples Trust Company and Waste Management. In-kind sponsors included WINK News, e’Bella Magazine, Life in Naples Magazine and Mr. Big Fish.
For information about donating, please visit charityforchange.org or call 239-592-6787.
About Charity for Change
Founded in 2008, Charity for Change brings children together to see past their differences and work together for others in need to prevent bullying, violence and hate. Through character education and charitable activities, the organization serves children through its after-school, summer school, preschool, and in-school programs. Since 2008, the program as impacted 62,000 children, instilling 19 character traits and raising $133,000 for 100 area charities. The goal of Charity for Change is to cultivate confident, compassionate children who become successful learners, contribute to their schools and communities, and participate in society as empathetic, resilient, ethical, and self-reliant citizens. For more information about Charity for Change, please visit charityforchange.org or call 239-592-6787.
