A sense of responsibility, real-life experience, and the satisfaction from giving back to your community—these are what Golden Gate High senior, David Diaz, values most.

David, who is also a student in the Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentoring program, has given over 780 hours of volunteer time to three organizations:  The Conservancy of SW Florida, the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, and Golden Gate Middle School.  David believes that greatest beneficiary is himself.

Most of David’s volunteer time is spent at the Conservancy.  He has logged 389 volunteer hours, starting at the nature discovery center and becoming a docent.  He was one of only three high school students to be selected for this honor.  He teaches guests about animals, is in charge of the Snakes Alive exhibit, and works in the wildlife research center caring for sick and injured animals.

At the Naples Zoo, David also earned a docent ship and teaches visitors animal facts.  He also volunteers at Golden Gate Middle School helping biology teacher, Mrs. Kandi Follis.

David wants to study zoology or environmental science in college. His goal is to become a spokesperson for environmental education.   No matter where his career leads, David will continue to volunteer because he is grateful for what has been given to him.

David has had two mentors in the Take Stock program, Glen Eisenberg from 7th through 9th grade and William Beynon from 9th grade to present.   “The mentoring is the best part for me’” says David.  “My mentors have given me experience in different fields, time management skills, and public speaking ability.”

“David is such a wonderful young man!  He is hard working, has a great personality and is a pleasure to be around,” says current mentor William Beynon.  “He will achieve all that he aspires and has potential to accomplish many great things.”

It began at a breakfast meeting at a corner restaurant, when Tom Riley happened to be meeting with his staff at the same time Education Foundation staff were meeting with folks from WINKTV to review the preparations for the upcoming annual Golden Apple television program. We mentioned to Tom that we were going to have to replace our broken Golden Apple podiums and asked if he might be able to help. He generously offered to talk to his artisans and see what they could do. A few days later, he called to share a design for two beautiful hand carved wooden lecterns featuring two bronze cast sculptures of children presenting a Golden Apple. They were breathtaking and that is when the many gifts of artwork began to symbolize the commitment of Tom Riley and Artisans’ Guild for teachers and students.

Over the next few years, Tom’s talented staff and local artists provided a hand-carved orchard of apple trees to compliment the lecterns, a special pedestal for the apple presentations, and a hand carved glass Tree of Knowledge that represents the legacy of learning that is the mission of The Education Foundation. Tom’s team worked with students to provide internships and had an outreach program in the schools that identified students who had potential to become artisans and learn with his team.

Tom never missed an opportunity to help in his community. He worked to build a Haitian church in Immokalee and provided artwork for many organizations in Collier County. Tom’s wife, Carol, was a volunteer in the Golden Apple program, and his sons, Matthew and Benjamin, now work in his business returning to Collier County as products of the public schools.

The inscription on the leather book that is carved into the lecterns reads, “From our Hearts through our Hands.” There is no other artist that has given so much to the teachers and students of our community and has left a legacy for a community like Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild. We congratulate the family and staff for twenty years in our community and say thank you on behalf of everyone that will continue to enjoy the beauty and appreciate the importance of education for our children.

Some people are born with a lifelong love for learning and the ability to share their commitment by being involved and giving.  Willis and Joyce Heim are two such people who generously donate their time, talent and support. They strongly believe in higher education and their support of The Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children Scholarship and Mentoring Program has benefited many deserving local students.

Joyce started teaching in a one room school house in rural Nebraska after graduating high school in the 1950s.   Joyce continued her own education and in 1985 was awarded a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota.

Willis and Joyce have always been financial supporters of education, funding scholarships for family and friends.  The Heims had heard about The Education Foundation of Collier County from a neighbor and decided that this was the place to support local education.

Joyce chose to go one step further in her support of The Education Foundation and in the year 2000, became a mentor for the Take Stock in Children Program. The Heims have funded several scholarships, and have personally mentored two students.

One of Joyce’s students, Yuriko Okubo, was responsible and focused and Joyce “saw something deep inside her that wanted to do the right thing not just for others, but also for herself.”  Joyce added, “I’ve seen her mature into a person capable of doing what needs to be done.”  Through much hard work, effort, and guidance, Yuriko is starting her second year as an undergraduate at University of Florida where she also plans to attend medical school.

Joyce was recently honored as a Distinguished Volunteer at National Philanthropy Day on November 10^th by the Everglades Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The commitment and generosity exhibited by Willis and Joyce Heim is greatly appreciated by The Education Foundation and is wonderful example of “Getting on the Bus” to support Collier students.  Their dedication to education will be evident for generations to come.

GetOnTheBusCollier.org is a one-stop, interactive search engine through which educators and schools, students and families, as well as individuals, business and organizations, will be able to work together to provide information and resources to ensure that all students have access to educational opportunities.

A new feature to this site has just launched which allows businesses and organizations to post internships and career exploration, resources, scholarships and volunteers so students and families can search for these real world experiences to help our students find their passion, talents, and develop effective skills, and link teachers to needed resources and volunteers to enhance their student’s learning experiences.

Resources available to search and post include:

• STEM-related opportunities
• Internships
• Job Shadowing
• Company visits
• Scholarships
• Summer jobs
• Volunteer opportunities and more!

Click here to view current opportunities.

Click here to create a profile and post an opportunity, click here for instructions.

Check back daily to see what’s new in these real life workforce and career opportunities!

The Education Foundation of Collier County staff partnered with a local church to provide $800 in Walmart gift cards for five Take Stock in Children students and their families this holiday season.

Join us to honor ten men for the 2012 Men of Distinction Celebration.

for students, families, educators, and the community to work together so every student may succeed.

Join us for the next Get On the Bus Roundtable presented by Fifth Third Bank.