An Investment You’ll Never Regret

In our own community here in Collier County, we have individuals like Mary Ingram. Mary and her late husband Edgar moved from Columbus, Ohio, to Naples many years ago, and have continued the tradition of philanthropy that the Ingram family, which founded the White Castle restaurant chain, began.

Mary, through the Mary Ingram Fund of the Columbus Foundation, has made a significant investment in Collier County teachers, believing that by helping teachers reach their full potential, students will reach theirs. She understands that teachers have the ability to point students to higher goals, and provide the tools and thinking skills they need to reach higher goals.

She began working with The Education Foundation of Collier County several years ago and has enthusiastically embraced the Foundation’s various programs for teachers. The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition program allows the community to recognize and thank excellent teachers. She has also supported the past Academy of Teachers and now the Building Bridges Educator Corps as well. “Building Bridges” engages principals and teachers from every school to work with each other and the community in collaborative ways. Mary observed “The Education Foundation has for the last 20 years been a strong and growing force in the community. The support they provide gives us hope for the future of our students.”

This programming by The Education Foundation has impacted hundreds of teachers and principals just in the past few years. Imagine how many students are influenced by so many educators! Mary sees this exponential benefit very clearly and understands what it means for a community to invest in the education of others—bringing independence, self-sufficiency and productivity.

One will never regret the investment we make in education. It yields significant return for the economic and social well-being of our community.