Great Futures Gala Raises $525,000 for Boys and Girls Club

More than $525,000 was raised at the 14th annual Great Futures Gala and Youth of the Year Awards event supporting Boys and Girls Club’s mission to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Held February 26 at Club Pelican Bay, the event’s “Mission Moment” paddle raise garnered $290,000, the most ever raised. A special highlight of the evening was recognizing Elijah, a senior at Lely High School, as 2025 Youth of the Year. Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County’s highest honor for youth, celebrating their leadership, service, and academic excellence. In addition, Mary Osborn received the Giving is Living Award in recognition of her three decades of commitment and generosity which has transformed the lives of countless young individuals. In addition, she has been instrumental in supporting the Club’s Youth of the Year program.

A member of Boys and Girls Club for 11 years, Elijah is a creative writer and because of his active participation in Club sports, he joined Lely’s football and track teams this year. In addition to participating in the Youth of the Year program, he has been active with Junior Men of Initiative and serves as a Road Code Ambassador and Junior Culinary staff member. He aspires to attend a Florida college to study biochemistry and hopes to specialize in pharmaceutical sciences so he can start his own pharmaceutical business. The Club “is a place where I can laugh and be safe with all those who care about me. This Club has offered me scholarship opportunities, relationships and peace within myself that is rare to most,” wrote Elijah in his essay. “It was through those grand blue doors I went and lived the best years of my life and through those grand blue doors I will leave my mark on my Club and the world.”

Juliana and Sarah were finalists for 2025 Youth of the Year. Juliana, the second finalist, has been a Club member for six years and is currently a senior at Lely High School. At the Club, Juliana has benefitted from having a safe and enriching environment for after-school programs and building connections with other members. She has been active in the Club Dance Team and participates in the sports programs. She has been accepted to the Columbia University Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and will be part of the Class of 2029. Juliana is grateful for the opportunities and life skills she has gained from Club members and staff.

Sarah, the third finalist, is a junior at Immokalee High School. She received the 2024 Youth of the Year Award. She has immersed herself in the Club’s Maintaining My Inner Beauty Club which encourages young girls to become successful women as they learn about friendship, self-confidence and morals. Her personal interests include creating education vlogs on social media and performing in school productions. She also participates in several extracurricular activities including Superintendent Student Advisory Council and Teens Against Dating Violence. Sarah is grateful for the mentors who have inspired her to remain optimistic and to persevere in the face of adversity.

The 10 Youth of the Year nominees successfully finished a year-long, multi-stage process to participate in this year’s recognition event, including completing a rigorous application that required three essays and letters of recommendation, as well as making a presentation to, and being interviewed by, a panel of judges.

Thank You to Our Great Futures Gala Sponsors: 

Platinum: Mary Pat Hussey, RaceTrac and The Schoen Foundation

Diamond: George Phillips and Publix

Ruby: Audrey and Vaughn Pengelly and The Wellington Group at Morgan Stanley

Scholarship: LMCU

Silver: Bear Foundation, Comerica, Terry and Christine Flynn, Lipman Family Farms, and Jim and Dianne Safley

Bronze: Paul and Mary Lacy, L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence—Collier County), Frank Lupacchino, Carol Stram and Tom Plouff, Damina and Arianne Taylor, and Elba and Michael Rodburg

Décor: Cape Coral Community Foundation

Media: Naples Illustrated

Boys and Girls Club is the largest out-of-school provider in Collier County, serving over 3,500 youth every year.