The wheels on ‘Monte’s bus’ keep turning toward Immokalee

Volunteers on “Monte’s Bus” prepare to head to schools in Immokalee. It’s exactly 8:15 a.m. on a sunny Tuesday morning when a Collier County public school bus pulls out of the Sam’s Club parking lot in North Naples. Aboard are seven seniors citizens bound for Immokalee, where they assist teachers at four elementary schools by tutoring in math and English and reading to students. Most of them have been volunteering for years.

The driving force and originator of this twice-a-week volunteer bus to Immokalee is George Montefalcone, affectionately known to everyone as “Monte.” A year-around resident of Naples, he began the program 10 years ago through his church, St. William. Now volunteers, mostly retirees, include parishioners from other Roman Catholic churches in the area, including St. John the Evangelist, St. Ann and St. Agnes. The unique outreach program receives support and encouragement from Collier County Public Schools and The Education Foundation of Collier County.

“Monte’s Bus” runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings, September through May. Each fall, a few regulars begin the new school year, and by January, February and March, the ranks reach a peak of nearly 70 riders each week. Immokalee educators conservatively estimate that the program provides more than 5,000 volunteer hours each year, all benefiting Immokalee’s school children.

Pinecrest Elementary School guidance counselor Michele Meyer has worked with the group for several years. “Their contributions extend beyond the benefits of tutoring and working with students when they come as a group on the bus,” she says. “Their contributions are ongoing and consistent. We appreciate all they offer to our students and staff.”

A retired businessman from the New Jersey area, Mr. Montefalcone has also volunteered for The Education Foundation of Collier County for many years. “I’ve always worked with kids, been a coach,” he says modestly about why he does what he does. “And the needs, especially here in Immokalee, are obvious.”

The success of the program, he adds, is possible only because of caring retirees like Donna Byram, a part-time Collier resident from Peewaukee, Wis., who has volunteered every Tuesday for more than a year. And David and Betty Quist, who’ve been riding the bus for five years.

Although week after week, many respond to Mr. Montefalcone’s call for service, he and his volunteers would welcome more company on Monte’s Bus as the wheels go ’round on the 45-minute trip to and from Immokalee.

At exactly 12:56 p.m. that Tuesday, the bus returns to the Sam’s Club parking lot. It’ll be back on Thursday morning, and every Tuesday and Thursday through the school year. If you’d like to hop on, call the Education Foundation at 643-4755. 

— Rainer Olbrich is a volunteer with The Education Foundation of Collier County. Founded in 1990, the foundation is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to engage our community and schools. For more information, visit www.Education ForCollier.org.