Engage Estero, formerly known as the Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL), is once again the proud sponsor of the 11th annual Breaking Par at Grandezza Golf Tournament and Gala on April 1 and 2. This year’s highly anticipated event benefits the newly founded nonprofit organization, LEAD Estero.

LEAD Estero provides scholarships and leadership opportunities for Estero High School students. Brothers Jeffrey and Matthew Stevens started the organization in the spring of 2022 as an entrepreneurial effort to help other Estero High School classmates. Five friends promptly joined and formed the foundation for this group.

Established in 2013, Breaking Par at Grandezza was founded by Engage Estero board member and former Education Chair Jim Shields to support well-structured educational opportunities for students in the Estero area. Since its inception, Breaking Par has contributed more than $50,000 every year in net profit to support educational opportunities for local students. Engage Estero’s recent partnership with LEAD Estero is the latest in Shields’ commitment to education in the community.

“When I learned about LEAD Estero, I thought it was amazing,” Shields said. “This year’s event is being organized, planned and managed by the Estero High School students who are members of LEAD Estero.”

This is the same inspirational team of young students who volunteered in an Engage Estero initiative back in November to help the 1,200 Village of Estero residents badly impacted by Hurricane Ian.

“It has been great to partner with Engage Estero,” said Sydney Ramsey, copresident of LEAD Estero. “They have so much experience to offer us and have been exceptional in sharing their thoughts in planning for this event. I want to offer a special thanks to Engage Estero member Jim Shields. He has been a phenomenal mentor and liaison between our two organizations. Engage’s guidance and partnership is greatly appreciated and has helped all of our members better connect with the community.”

The fundraising efforts of LEAD Estero will culminate in an exciting week-long event this summer. Dr. Sandra Kauanui, the 2023 Guest of Honor and Director of the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship at Florida Gulf Coast University, will facilitate a summer camp for students from Estero High School. Proceeds will provide funding for the program designed for up to 32 aspiring young entrepreneurs
from the high school. During their week at the LEAD Estero Leadership Camp, these students will work in project teams and interact with seasoned mentors, presenting their business plans and models to a panel of judges at the end of the week. Scholarships funded by Breaking Par are presented to members of the winning teams.

“I am truly looking forward to supporting LEAD Estero in their effort to engage their fellow students from Estero High School to further their entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Kauanui.

Breaking Par’s signature Shotgun Scramble Golf Tournament commences at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, with registration and sign-in beginning at 7:30 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be provided. The Scramble wraps up with an awards ceremony and a sumptuous Grandezza buffet, including the opportunity to win a variety of impressive prizes.

The Gala at Grandezza will be Sunday at 5 p.m. The annual fete features delicious cuisine and an incredible live and silent auction led by renowned emcee Clay Miller and charity auctioneer Scott Robertson. The reception kicks off with complimentary hors-d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and a cash bar for other cocktails.

To register for these community events, please visit www.LEADestero.com.