A Day of Impact for Nearly 200 Collier Country Students at Hideaway Beach Club
Posted on: February 19, 2026
As Featured In Gulf Coast News
Hideaway Beach Club was honored to welcome nearly 200 Collier County second graders to our shoreline for Guadalupe Center’s annual Buddy Day — a longstanding tradition focused on mentorship, celebration, and community connection.
Buddy Day recognizes students for their hard work throughout the school year and pairs them with dedicated “Big Buddies” for a day of encouragement and shared experiences. For many of the children in attendance, this special visit to Marco Island included their very first time experiencing the beach — a meaningful milestone that made the day even more memorable.
Throughout the event, students enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, from arts and crafts to bird watching and outdoor exploration. Laughter filled the air as mentors and students connected, learned, and celebrated together. What began as a day to honor academic achievement quickly became something deeper — an opportunity to build confidence, inspire young minds, and strengthen community bonds.
At Hideaway Beach Club, we believe in the power of community partnerships and the importance of investing in the next generation. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to host Guadalupe Center’s Buddy Day and to play a small part in creating lasting memories for these remarkable students.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Guadalupe Center, the mentors, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the day so impactful. Some Big Buddy volunteers noted that while they are making an impact on the students, the students are making a bigger impact on them.
You can read the full Gulf Coast News story here.
