Athletes Activating Champions & Empowerment (AACE) is a nonprofit founded by high school students at Canterbury School in Fort Myers. Our organization exists to elevate youth through transformative mentorship led by student-athletes who understand what it means to overcome challenges, stay focused, and lead with heart.<\/p>\n
When students feel unseen, unsupported, or uncertain about their future, it can affect everything \u2014 from their self-esteem to their choices.<\/p>\n
Part of our mission at AACE is to make sure students have the support they need to build self-esteem, resilience, and positive relationships. And part of that effort this holiday season is the opportunity to help make Thanksgiving a little brighter for the students and families at Tice Elementary in Fort Myers. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, we\u2019ll be delivering bags of nonperishable food items to the students at the school to help ensure all 500 families have what they need for a nutritious Thanksgiving dinner.<\/p>\n
This initiative will touch on several principles upon which AACE was founded:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Healthy Choices \u2014 Providing nutritious food for the students and their families encourages the students to make healthy choices.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Education & Goals \u2014 We\u2019ll have the opportunity to talk to students about the importance of education and setting personal goals. We\u2019ll encourage students to stay motivated to fuel their academic and personal growth.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Resilience \u2014 Life has its ups and downs; however, we can draw on lessons from sports to meet challenges head-on. Basketball great Michael Jordan\u2019s comeback after being cut from his high school team. Surfer Bethany Hamilton\u2019s return to pro surfing after a shark attack. Sprinter Derek Richmond tearing his hamstring during a race and limping across the finish line with the help of his father just to name a few. <\/p>\n
\u2022 Relationships \u2014 Having the chance to meet with and talk to the students will build trust and respect, enhance communication skills and allow them to build supportive relationships with families, friends and others who have their back throughout life.<\/p>\n
And while our efforts present a great opportunity for us to brighten the day of the students, empower them to pursue their goals and build character, we need support from the community.<\/p>\n
Each bag of food costs $25. To fill the 500 bags we need to feed the families at Tice, we\u2019ll have to raise $12,500. <\/p>\n
This is where leading with heart that I mentioned earlier comes into play. <\/p>\n
We are encouraging the Southwest Florida community to lead with your hearts and donate to this initiative so that 500 families can celebrate a festive Thanksgiving meal together.<\/p>\n
This effort is about more than food \u2014 it\u2019s about sharing hope. Our student-athletes are discovering real champions do more than compete, they lift others up. Through this initiative, we\u2019re showing families that their community cares and that, together, we can truly make a difference.<\/p>\n