The Immokalee Foundation recently received a donation of $26,100 thanks to Preferred Travel of Naples, which selected the foundation to benefit from its annual travel event.
More than 450 guests attended “The Dazzling World of Travel” at the Club Pelican Bay. It marked the 12th year of this event, which to date has added $200,000 to the programs of nonprofit organizations.
Following the event, President and CEO of Preferred Travel Wilma Boyd, and CFO and Agency Manager Olga Placeres, presented a check to The Immokalee Foundation’s Executive Director Noemi Perez. The funds will allow the foundation to continue strengthening the Immokalee community with a focus on education, vocation and life skills through events, mentorship and scholarships.
Fittingly, the donation from Preferred Travel and the “Dazzling” attendees will specifically benefit The Immokalee Foundation’s travel fund. Most Immokalee Foundation students receive scholarships to colleges in Florida, but many receive full scholarships to out-of-state schools. The new travel scholarship fund will help those students heading farther away with expenses such as travel home for holidays or even warm winter clothing for those who are experiencing northern winters for the first time.
“This will go far for the students who are venturing into the larger world this fall,” said Perez. “Those headed north to school will do so knowing that local supporters ensured they have the things they need. In fact, the need for the fund came from real-life experiences of the foundation’s students.”
Preferred Travel was founded in 1984 by Wilma Boyd. The invitation-only event featured 50 luxury travel partners from all over the world.
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, 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.
Barbara Hawkes, Ofelia Carrillo, Angel Perez-Patino, Lorena Ibarra, Audra DiNanno
Angel Perez-Patino, Mercedes Salinas
Angel Perez-Patino, Ofelia Carrillo
Jeffrey Flores, Noemi Y. Perez, Ofelia Carrillo
