NAPLES FLORIDA, MAY 1, 2024: PBS Contractors hosted their tradition of Russell’s Barbecue, a community favorite event. This Spring’s beneficiary was Champions For Learning, whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s Students and Educators. PBS Contractors has built three phases of renovation in their current facility, most recently the Frank and Ellen Daveler Cener for Innovation in Learning. Over 275 guests supported Champions For Learning at Russell’s Barbecue.
“Champions For Learning is incredibly grateful to PBS Contractors for selecting us as the spring 2024 beneficiary organization,” said Barbara Evans, President and CEO. “It is community partnerships like Russell’s Barbeque that help us succeed and carry out our mission of serving as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. We appreciate all the members of our community who attended Russel’s Barbeque in support of Champions For Learning and who share our belief that education is everything.”
Russell’s Barbecue has been a biannual event since 2011, hosted every spring and fall at PBS Contractors and has won a Collier Building Industry Association Sand Dollar Award for Best Event. The beneficiary for Russell’s Barbecue is selected by Russell Budd, Founder of PBS Contractors.
Beneficiaries are active clients whom PBS provides new construction or renovation services for, or are organizations that team members support by serving time volunteering or are active board members. Russell’s Barbecue has raised over $125,000 historically for organizations in Collier County, including David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Humane Society Naples, Collier County 100 Club, The Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs, Avow, and more.
ABOUT CHAMPIONS FOR LEARNING
Founded in 1990, the Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. Our Student Programs are designed to equip and prepare students for their future learning and career goals, and our Educator Programs are designed to value, empower, and support our educators to experience professional success. We are the lead organization facilitating Future Ready Collier, a collective impact initiative designed to build an educational pipeline for college, career, and life readiness. Recognized as the education foundation serving Collier County by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Champions For Learning serves as a unifying force within the community by driving collective action towards the common goal of student and educator success.
Champions For Learning is a volunteer-driven organization. Of the nearly 500 people who volunteer with us each year, more than 240 dedicate two to four hours of their time to our organization every week. With dedicated volunteers and a committed administrative team, Champions For Learning embodies the belief that education is everything! For more information about Champions For Learning or to see more of our work, visit our website.
