Partners & Volunteers

FSU Women's Basketball Team/Everhart Partner

FSU Women's Basketball Coach Sue Semrau is working with your PTO's Donna Gabordi to accomodate our kids being able to attend the games.  If you would like to attend, and need assistance with  seating, contact Debra Taube.

Coming off a school-record fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance last season, the FSU  Women's Basketball Team opens the 2008-09 season on Sunday, November 16th, at 2:00 PM in the Civic Center against Florida Gulf Coast having

Visit the FSU Women's Basketball website (opens in new window) for more information.

If you would like to purchase season tickets, click on the link below.

Season Tickets: $30 for Adults, $15 Children (18 and under)/Seniors (55 and older)
Single Game  Tickets: $5 Adults, $3 Children/Seniors

FSU Women's Basketball Tickets (opens in new window)

Out of This World Talent/Fashion Show

The Florida State University Chapter of Best Buddies will be hosting their first Talent/Fashion Show at Gretchen Everhart.

The college buddies at FSU will be performing with their buddies from Gretchen Everhart. There will be talent portion followed by a brief fashion show.

Date: Friday, November 14th
Time: 7-9 pm
Place: Gretchen Everhart School
2750 Mission Road
Tallahassee, FL 32304

Refreshments will be served!

Bring all of the family it will be an interesting show!!  We guarantee that you will enjoy yourself.

For further information contact fsubestbuddies08@fsu.edu

Best Buddies is a non -profit organization that works to enhance the lives of peoples with intellectual disabilities by creating one-to-one friendships and offering integrated employment. For more information visit Best Buddies Florida (opens in new window).

Christina Holden - Outstanding Youth Volunteer for 2008

We are pleased and proud to announce that Christina Holden has been named the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Outstanding Youth School Volunteer for the State of Florida!  We can only image how proud her Mother, our own Mary Holden, feels about such an honor!  Read more >>

Foster Grandparents Luncheon

A Luncheon was held on December 7th, recognizing our Foster Grandparents and all the other Foster Grandparents working in Leon County Schools. Take a look at some pictures from the Luncheon and learn about the Foster Grandparent Program.  Read more>>

Recognition of Elks Lodge and Elkettes

We are excited to announce that School Superintendent Jackie Pons has chosen the Elk's Lodge BPOE #937 and Elkettes to be one of two business partners that will be honored by the Commissioner of Education at a gala event to be help in Jacksonville this April based on the outstanding work and involvement they have had with our school over the years (job sites, Prom and Camp Read A Lot to name a few).

We are so excited that they have been chosen because they have been an excellent supporter of all the activities here at Everhart. Join us in congratulating them for receiving this great honor. Our school system will highlight the Elk's Lodge BPOE #937 and Elkettes at the Business Partner Kick Off next fall.

PBS&J Supports Gretchen Everhart School

One of our partners, PBS&J found a way to have fun, celebrating Cinco de Mayo while at the same time raising money for our school.  Read more>>

Our 2007-08 Partners

We could not do a lot of the things we do without the wonderful and generous help of our partners.  Whenever possible, please support them and let these wonderful people know how much we value their support of our school!

Best Buddies

Best Buddies provides friends for our older students.  Most of our Best Buddies come from Florida State University, we are pleased to have them as volunteers at our school.

Thanks to Dr. Hamilton, we have added pictures from our Best Buddies Cookie Swap that was held in the Ken Swenson building on Tuesday, December 6th. 

Home Depot lends a helping hand

The Home Depot (of Northeast Tallahassee) made a house call on September 22nd.  See what they accomplished (opens new window on SMILE Website).    

Volunteer Opportunities

Check out volunteer opportunities at Gretchen Everhart School.

Volunteer Recognition

Once again this year, Gretchen Everhart School received the Golden School Award, presented by the Florida Department of Education to those schools who demonstrate support of school volunteers, have a volunteer coordinator and a total number of volunteer hours that equal twice the number of students enrolled.  Way to go volunteers!

2004-05 Volunteers - The annual School Volunteer Appreciation and Award Ceremony was held on Thursday, May 12, 2005.  Those in attendance (representing Gretchen Everhart School) have volunteered in excess of 2,000 hours this school year. A special thanks to all!!!

Our Partners for Excellence and volunteers give of their time and money  year-round.  Whether you are a student, parent or friend of Gretchen Everhart School, please let all of our volunteers and business partners know how much we appreciate what they do for us throughout the year.

Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 & Elkettes Finalists as 2005 Non-profit Organization/Club Volunteers

We are pleased and proud to announce that the Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 and  Elkettes were finalists as Tallahassee Democrat non-profit organization/club Volunteers of the Year 2005.  While they may not have won, they are tops with us!

To give you an idea of how highly the Everhart family feels about the wonderful folks at Elks Lodge #937 and the Elkettes, the following is an excerpt of the nominating form.

(During 2004) the Elks lodge provided their meeting hall free of charge for Everhart's two biggest events of the year, our Prom and Graduation. At the prom, they catered a complete meal for the special needs dancers, with all the trimmings. At last year's graduation, they provided refreshments for all who were in attendance. When it was determined that their stage did not provide wheelchair access to our graduates, the Elks and Elkettes built a wheelchair ramp as an addition to their stage. For our vocational students, the group provided a supported work site, and a number of our students learned "on the job" as a result of their efforts. In addition, in 2004, they donated money for each of our school dances and gave Everhart school hot dogs and buns to feed participants at Everhart's Transition Fair.

The Elks/Elkettes found a way to provide a service to Everhart School and at the same time to allow the students to grow and learn. For example, in providing the facility for our use, they helped our students to grow vocationally by having them set up and decorate tables, while at the same time building pride and joy in the social activity. Faced with the daunting task of getting wheelchairs on a non-accessible stage, these fine volunteers "found a way" to get a ramp built in tight quarters. 

The Elk/Elkettes have volunteered at Everhart for 15 years. They never seem to get tired of contributing to the lives of special needs students. They have housed the prom for 15 years as well.  In the past, Elk chefs have even pureed food for some of our students who can not eat regular meals, just so they could have a great experience. Do the Elk/Elkettes ever say "we can't"? Do they every not give? At least in Everhart's case, the answer is no. They have our highest recommendation and our everlasting admiration! 

See the 2007 version of the page dedicated to the wonderful folk at Good Shepherd Catholic Church and the Men of Good Shepherd who, as our volunteer partners, have been bringing Christmas gifts (and Santa Claus) to all of our students for the past ten years!

Peer Volunteer Program was begun in 1990, and involves children ages 9 or older who have good citizenship and a recommendation from his or her teacher to participate in the program.  Read more about this unique program in an article taken from the December 1999 edition of the Everhart Express.

Partners for Excellence

Volunteers & Donations

It's not for money, it's not for fame,
It's not for the personal gain,
It's just for love of fellow man,
It's just to give a helping hand.

It's your reward in your heart,
It's feeling that you've been part,
of helping others far and near,
That makes you want to Volunteer.

Many thanks for all your help!

Page updated: 01/20/2009