MENTORS AND STUDENTS IN SMALL GROUPS ON THE FIRST DAY OF MENTORING CLASS, JANUARY 22, 2025. L-R: MENTORS LOU BOTTITTA AND LEO CROWLEY.
On Wednesday, January 22, the Boys 2 MEN Mentors kicked off another impactful year of guiding and empowering 5th-grade boys at Pottorf Elementary School in Ft. Myers. For 12 weeks starting in January, a dedicated group of 11 volunteers from Heritage Palms will meet once a week with these young minds, introducing them to the Six Pillars of Integrity:
- Trustworthiness
- Respect • Responsibility
- Fairness • Caring •
- Being a Good Citizen
This program is designed not just to teach valuable life lessons, but to inspire these young boys to build strong foundations for their futures. Each week, the volunteers work with the boys in the classroom, engaging them in discussions and activities that align with these Six Pillars of Integrity. To make the experience even more enriching, the program also includes field trips to local police stations, fire departments, and other community sites, reinforcing what they learn in class through hands-on experiences.
The Boys 2 MEN Mentors program is an opportunity for both the volunteers and the students to build meaningful connections and to foster a sense of responsibility, empathy, and civic duty. The program has grown from 12 boys last year to 20 this year, thanks to the addition of seven new volunteer mentors. Here’s a special shout out to the 2025 Volunteer Mentors: Tom Power, Lou Bottitta, Mike Bondy, Wayne Criger, Leo Crowley, Ed Dechert, Tom Haire, Ed Klimas, Rick Larson, Steve Sergesketter, and Jeff Sweeney.
If you’d like to learn more or contribute to this important cause, there are many ways to get involved. Whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or simply offering a contribution, every bit helps to make a difference in the lives of these young boys. We’re especially grateful to the anonymous HP resident who donated $1,000 towards this year’s expenses, which include field trip fees, lunches, etc.
2024 Highlights Flipbook Visit our YouTube channel at Boys 2 MEN Pottorf Elementary to view our 2024 Highlights Flipbook and three videos with special moments from our field trips, classroom sessions, and the heartfelt “graduation” speeches given by the students. Together, we can help these boys grow into strong, positive leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for your support! Contact Information: Tom Power Tpower214@gmail. com or Lou Bottitta [email protected]
