The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools(FLCPS) Hosts

10^th Annual Take Strides for Education 5K Walk/Run

Raising over $37,000 towards scholarships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, February 12, 2021

– (EON: Enhanced Online News) – Gain

PHOTOS INCLUDED

FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 12, 2021) – The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools held its 10th Annual Strides for Education 5K Run on Saturday, February 6, 2021. The event, hosted at Florida SouthWestern State College’s Lee Campus, raised money for The Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program.

1,100 business leaders, community partners, teachers, and local runners participated in the race this year in-person and virtually. The race was COVID safe and friendly as CDC Guidelines were followed to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators. The Foundation raised 37,000 for the purchase of scholarships for the students in our Take Stok in Children Program.

Schools and businesses throughout Lee County were challenged to create the largest team by creating friendly competition. This year’s winners are as follows:

School Challenge: Team Heights (Heights Elementary)

Corporate Challenge: Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, PLLC

Community Partner Challenge: Miles in Memory of Erik Babatz

“We are so thankful for such outstanding support from the community in our quest to provide the gift of education to very deserving students, ”, says Marshall T. Bower, President & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “These students are the future employees and leaders of our community.”

The Strides for Education 5k raises money for college scholarships to benefit students entering the Take Stock in Children program. Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a statewide scholarship program that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income youth to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools administers the program here in Lee County. Students enter the program in 6^th or 9^th grade and commit to remaining crime- and drug-free, maintaining a 2.5 GPA or higher, and meeting with a mentor regularly. Upon high school graduation, having kept this commitment, students are awarded a four-year college tuition scholarship.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

Title Sponsor: Suncoast Credit Union

Major Sponsors: Florida SouthWestern State College, Jason’s Deli, Lee Health, The News-Press Media Group, Pool Pros, Inc., Storm Smart

Gold Sponsors: Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, PLLC, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, LCEC, McGriff Insurance Services

Silver Sponsors: B&I Contractors, Constance White-Davis, Florida Title One, LLC, Marshall T. Bower, Esq., Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Waste Pro

Bronze Sponsors: Children’s Medical Services

About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools: The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships. The Foundation is rated a Platinum 4 star organization by Guide Star. Find us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Twitter @FoundationLCPS, and on Facebook.

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Contact:

Brittany Carroll

Marketing and Development Director

239.337.0433

Brittany@LeeSchoolFoundation.org