Three local families presented with $1,000 gift cards from CRAM
Just in time for the holidays, CRAM, Creating Role Models & Mentors, presented three local families impacted by Hurricane Milton with $1,000 gift cards.
CRAM, a student-run nonprofit organization focused on peer mentorship, raised the funds at a charity pickleball tournament earlier this year. The fundraiser typically raises money for annual scholarships to student mentees involved in CRAM for necessary school supplies, clothing and shoes.
“My family was lucky, and we had no damage from the hurricanes this season, but some of our mentees lost all their food from power outages or had to temporarily move after Hurricane Milton,” said Dylan Moon, founder of CRAM. “We want to make sure that everyone has the chance to have a happy holiday, and we hope that these gift cards help.”
The three Fort Myers Middle Academy students and their families were identified by United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades through their Community Partnership Schools program. Two families have six or more family members living under one roof and were temporarily displaced following Hurricane Milton. All three families lost all of their food due to multiple days without power.
The gift card presentation happened following the weekly CRAM Session held at Fort Myers Middle Academy where mentors meet with mentees face-to-face to provide help with schoolwork, offer a snack and provide positive reinforcement.
“CRAM has been such a blessing for me because I know my son is in a safe learning environment after school and not somewhere else,” says Michel Romero, mother of four and gift card recipient. “I’ll be able to buy Christmas presents with this gift card and that means so much to me.”
For more information about CRAM, or to get involved, visit www.CRAMMentor.org/.
About Creating Role Models & Mentors (CRAM)
Creating Role Models & Mentors (CRAM) is a non-profit, 501c3, that was founded in 2020 by Canterbury School student Dylan Moon to help support younger students through peer-mentorship during remote learning in the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. In four years, CRAM has grown to support more than 200 local middle, elementary and high school students thanks to the dedication of more than 75 vetted and trained high school mentors from three Lee County schools. At weekly CRAM Sessions, mentors meet mentees face-to-face at Fort Myers Middle Academy to offer academic support, positive reinforcement and friendship. For more information about CRAM, visit www.CRAMMentor.org/.
