As one of the oldest leadership programs in the nation, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Gainesville program has been developing and inspiring leaders in the Gainesville area for over 40 years. Upon completion of the program, each LG class is encouraged to complete a class project. Throughout the years, these projects have had a significant impact on our community from the origination of the Nonprofit Center of North Central Florida and the O2B A Kid Again event to Taste of Gainesville, an annual fundraiser that raises tens of thousands of dollars for three local charities.
Similarly, Leadership Gainesville Class 40’s Battle of the Bands, slated for October 10 in Tioga Town Center, is sure to make an impact.
The live music competition has already drawn support from the community. Northwestern Mutual has signed on as the presenting sponsor and others such as Tioga Town Center, Campus USA Credit Union, Studio32 Orthodontics, BBI Construction, World of Beer, Pepsi and Sun Country Sports are signing on as sponsors as well.
Rod Whited, managing director of Northwestern Mutual in Gainesville, said the company is supporting the event, which benefits The Education Foundation of Alachua County, because they “believe in investing in the future of students in our local community and are excited to sponsor such a fun event for an organization that continuously gives back to Alachua County!”
The event will feature six local bands competing for the top prize: a recording package courtesy of Skylab Studios. In addition to great musical entertainment, the event will feature VIP seating, food and libations from local eateries, a live auction and the beauty of Tioga Town Center’s band shell. Best of all, its free general admission, so plan to bring the whole family!
All proceeds from the inaugural event will benefit The Education Foundation of Alachua County’s Take Stock in Children program. Take Stock in Children confronts and addresses issues like poverty and low graduation rates in Alachua County, two issues the LG40 class feels strongly about. Donors, sponsors and attendees are encouraged to donate even more because all the funds raised through Battle of the Bands will be doubled by a match from the State of Florida. Leadership Gainesville Class 40’s goal is to raise $25,000 for The Education Foundation through the Northwestern Mutual Battle of the Bands.
The Northwestern Mutual Battle of the Bands will be held on Saturday, October 10 at the Tioga Town Center. For more information or to sponsor the event, please visit www.botb2015.com.
Facts about Take Stock in Children:
Take Stock in Children is a state-sponsored scholarship and mentoring program that provides an educational pathway for deserving low-income students. This program has a 20-year history of helping at-risk students stay in school, graduate from high school, complete college and become productive citizens.
The Education Foundation of Alachua County administers the Take Stock program in Alachua County. Currently, there are 330 students in the program from seventh to 12th grades. Each student is matched with a volunteer mentor and a college success coach and also receives comprehensive college readiness skills training and scholarships. Over 96 percent of the Take Stock students graduate from high school, and 87 percent go on to pursue a post-secondary education, which is well above the national average.
Once accepted into the program, students sign a contract to maintain a 2.5 GPA or better, remain crime and drug free, meet with their mentors on a regular basis, meet the attendance and behavior requirements and graduate on time. When they complete these requirements, they are given a two-year Florida Prepaid Tuition Scholarship upon high school graduation.