From August 8 – August 26, Fifth Third Bank will accept donations at all of their Collier County locations.  The Education Foundation of Collier County will collect the supplies along with the backpacks generously provided by Fifth Third Bank and will work with Collier County schools to distribute materials to students in need. Suggested items include 8- or 24-count boxes of crayons, washable glue or glue sticks, full-size boxes of tissue, anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizer, gallon-or sandwich-size zip lock bags. Contributions to The Education Foundation Back to School Supply Fund will also be gladly accepted. For the nearest location, visit www.53.com.

On Monday, August 15th, Whole Foods Market Naples will donate 5% of the day’s net sales to The Education Foundation of Collier County. Customers are encouraged to shop for all-natural and organic products to help raise funds that will support the foundation’s commitment to ensuring a quality education for every child. In addition, Whole Foods will also hold a back to school event and supply drive, Celebrating Back 2 School Safely and Naturally, on Saturday, August 20th.  For more information, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/naples/

High school is a time for studying, having fun with friends, and going to parties and proms.  But for recent Lely graduate, Sarah Kristine Hagedorn, it was also a time to help her community and “Get on the Bus”.  Sarah’s focus on her studies, dual enrollment at Edison State College, and completion of online courses allowed her to graduate a year early.  Regardless of her heavy work load, Sarah found time to volunteer regularly at The Education Foundation of Collier County from January to June of 2011.  Putting in about 15 hours per week during the school year and working fulltime over the summer, she estimates that she has completed over 300 hours of volunteer time.

Sarah is a Bright Futures Scholarship recipient which currently requires 75 total volunteer hours for the entire four years of high school.  Going above and beyond what’s expected of her seems to be a trend with this bright, enthusiastic, and personable young woman.  Her responsibilities since she has been at the Foundation have included helping to write and layout newsletter pages, making donor packets, creating powerpoints, volunteering at events like the Golden Apple Teacher Awards, and putting together a very extensive media book; as well as filing and answering the phone.

She has most enjoyed helping with the newsletters and working at the events.  Sarah reflects, “It has been a great experience to volunteer.  It has helped me understand what it will be like to be in the workplace after college.  It’s also opened my eyes to the functioning of this organization and to what is happening here in our community.  This experience will definitely help me in my future.  Volunteering is a great opportunity for anyone.”

Sarah is enrolled at Florida State University where she will begin her college career in the summer semester, consistently remaining one step ahead.  Her planned majors are graphic design and communications.  She is already enrolled in FSU’s Booster Club and is also planning on joining either their yearbook or newspaper staff.  Sarah first became interested in graphic design while serving on Lely’s yearbook staff for all of her high school years.

Mom, Sandra Hagedorn, and older sister, Leigh Ann Hagedorn both feel that Sarah is ready for college even though she is only 17.  They are so proud and excited for her although Mom admits she is sorry to see her leave home so soon.  Another bonus to attending FSU is that the whole family has been Seminole fans their entire lives.  Go, Noles!

“We are so appreciative and proud of all you have accomplished here,” remarked Susan McManus, Education Foundation President.  “You are a great example of what it means to get on the bus.”

Best of luck in your college career and in life, Sarah.  What a bright future you have ahead of you!

The Mercato Merchants Back to School Supply Drive will continue until August 5th to benefit The Education Foundation of Collier County. Examples of needed items are uniforms (all sizes, all range of grades) – solid polo shirts & walking shorts/pants, backpacks, pencils, crayons, dry erase markers, 8×11 subject spiral notebooks, and black/white composition notebooks. For more information please call 643.4755 or visit their events calendar at www.mercatoshops.com/calendar/default.asp

Barron Collier student wins scholarship to study abroad. In addition to this scholarship, as a junior, Avery Segal received a scholarship from the Naples Council on World Affairs to spend a month in South Korea last summer to study peace and participate in community service while learning about Korean history, culture, and the war.