2026 Drive for Education – Beneficiaries

Since the inception of the OneDigital Sunrise Rotary Pro-Am over $293,000 of the money raised has been donated to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools for use in the Take Stock in Children Program. Your contribution is matched by a fund provided through the State Legislature. The tournament raised over $40,000 for the program in 2024, which was matched to fund $80,000 in pre-paid education.

Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for low-income and at-risk students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Take Stock offers students college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors, and hope for a better life.

Each student who enters the program signs a contract promising to remain crime and drug-free, maintain a 2.5 GPA and above, exhibit good behavior, and meet with their assigned mentor regularly through high school graduation. Upon graduation, students receive a 4-year college tuition scholarship. Take Stock in Children staff meet with students in the program each semester to ensure students have the resources they need to complete school. Student grades are tracked quarterly, and immediate intervention is provided should students show signs of academic decline.

We offer abuse determination services as well as therapeutic counseling, parenting education and prevention programs in Lee, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte Counties. We are one of the largest children’s advocacy centers in the state of Florida and the only one in the four-county area. CAC is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance.

Founded in 1981, the mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) is to provide a coordinated response to child victims of abuse and neglect; and improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services. At CAC, we assess and treat children believed to have been physically or sexually abused or to be at-risk of such abuse, and a provide a safe place for them to come and be heard.

Consistent with the Sunrise Rotary Club’s commitment to education, the Get to Work Scholarship provides financial assistance for 17 to 29 year old students pursuing skilled-trade, technical or vocational education, for careers in automotive, drafting, electrical, HVAC, inspection, machining, medical tech, nursing, plumbing, welding, etc., at accredited institutions leading to a degree, license or certification, including technical colleges, trade schools and certification programs.

By supporting young adults training for positions in high-demand fields, the Get to Work Scholarship will strengthen the workforce in Southwest Florida and help Lee County address the need for approximately 200,000 workers to backfill current job vacancies, replace retiring workers and fill new skilled-trade, technical and vocational opportunities.

Tournament proceeds given to the Sunrise Rotary Fort Myers enter the Sunrise Foundation, Inc. their 501(c)3 charitable foundation. Proceeds are distributed throughout Lee County, the State of Florida, and internationally in support of carefully selected charities and programs. Several contributions are matched with proceeds from Rotary District 6960’s District Designated Matching Grants provided through contributions to the Rotary International Foundation.

Past recipients include The Gift of Life, Project Wheelchair, Camp Rotary, Shelter Box, hurricane relief projects, Midwest Food Bank, Pine Manor Improvement Association, Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation and other programs supporting the focus of Rotary International including promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.