News Briefs

Burn ban lifted in Collier County

Collier County lifted the burn ban effective July 1, 2024. The decision to lift the ban came following a review by the Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, the Florida Forest Service and the Collier County Fire Chiefs’ Association. The same group identified the need to issue a burning ban in May after certain environmental conditions were met, including a lack of rainfall in March and April.

“We continue to urge residents to practice outdoor burning safety to reduce Collier County’s year-round wildfire risk and thank the public for their cooperation,” said Dan Summers, director of Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services.

For more information, call 311 or (239) 252-8999.

Leadership Florida announces Florida Impact Award winner

Leadership Florida presented The Immokalee Foundation with its 2024 Florida Impact Award at its annual meeting in Charlotte Harbor.

The Florida Impact Award recognizes a business or nonprofit organization that has created a specific project or body of work whose impact is currently transforming the future of its region or beyond and has the potential to transform Florida as a whole.

“We are honored to recognize the outstanding work being done by The Immokalee Foundation and its Career Pathways Program,” said Wendy Spencer, president and CEO of Leadership Florida. “Their work is making a significant impact on the lives of students they work with as well as their community as a whole.”

Though The Immokalee Foundation introduced career-based programming in 2007, the Career Pathways Program was launched in 2018 to better prepare middle and high school students to pursue the postsecondary education best suited to their career goals. Since the program’s inception, 100 percent of its students have graduated from high school with a postsecondary plan to pursue a professional career. Ninety-three percent graduate with a postsecondary certificate or degree, with the majority earning a four-year bachelor’s degree.

The Immokalee Foundation is also garnering national attention as a model for education and career success. Excelencia in Education—a national data-driven initiative that recognizes programs and organizations with evidence of accelerating Latino student success, recognized the Career Pathways program as a “Program to Watch.”

“The Immokalee Foundation pioneered and developed the award-winning Career Pathways Program to acknowledge that students need more than academic support,” said Noemi Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation and a member of Leadership Florida’s Education Class 8. “We are proud to be 100 percent aligned with Leadership Florida’s mission ‘to create opportunities for experiences that are inviting, inspiring, and of lasting value.’ It is truly an honor to be the recipient of this year’s Impact Award.”

Robotics team places second in international tournament

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ robotics team, “Assembly Required,” recently competed against 50 other teams in the FIRST LEGO League international tournament held at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. The team placed second in the Project Award category.

The team’s innovative project was focused on increasing the accessibility of LEGO robotics for the sight-impaired community. “Assembly Required” created a series of products, including online robotic tutorials with a focus on accessibility. They also created a scaled-down 3D printed robotics field with tactile features that include letters or Braille to assist students in understanding the challenges and designed and printed a tactile grid that allows individuals to identify areas of the robotics field using a coordinate system.

“Together, their shared passion is robotics, and they want more people to be able to enjoy it,” said Pearce Augustenborg, education manager and robotics coach at EFWE.

Ave Maria announces free upcoming events

Ave Maria announced its 2024 summer merchant event line-up, which includes Christmas in July, Back to School Bash and the annual Trunk or Treat.

All of the events are free and open to the public. They will be held in the Ave Maria Town Center. For more information, call 239-352-3903 or visit AveMaria.com .

Christmas in July is on July 20 from noon to 5 p.m. The town will be filled with Christmas themed décor, festive live music, activities and entertainment, along with food, drinks and more. Visitors can enter a free raffle where participants can win gift baskets organized by the town’s businesses.

The Back to School Bash will be held on August 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This back-to-school event will include a live DJ, games and crafts, a school supply drive, and free bike helmets for the kids. The Town Center’s shops and eateries will also offer exclusive discounts and promotions.

The annual Trunk or Treat is a family friendly event on Oct. 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Town Center will be transformed by Halloween activities including live music, face painting, and a costume contest for the kids. Prizes will be awarded for the most innovative and imaginative costumes, the best carved pumpkin, and the “best-decorated trunk” by residents and local businesses. There will be many treats, entertainment, and opportunities for family-fun. Bring a bucket or bag to trick-or-treat with.

YMCA accepting donations for its annual Back to School Supply Drive

The YMCA of Collier County announced the launch of its annual Back to School Supply Drive. This initiative aims to equip students in various elementary schools across the county with essential tools to kickstart a successful academic year.

According to YMCA Youth & Family Director Charlene Rose, “We are excited to rally the community together to make a positive impact on the lives of our local students. By providing school supplies, we are not only supporting their education but also nurturing their growth and development.”

The drive, which started July 1 and runs through August 1, will accept donations at both YMCA campuses: North Campus located at 5450 YMCA Road in Naples, and the South Campus at 101 Sand Hill St. in Marco Island.

For inquiries and donations, contact 239- 394-9622 or visit ymcacollier.org . ¦

The post News Briefs first appeared on Bonita Springs Florida Weekly .