Why We Give: Celebrating Generosity as 2025 Ends

Every gift, every pledge, every act of support enriches the RE experience and speaks to the joy, purpose and spirit that define our community. As 2025 comes to an end, we celebrate the countless ways you lift up RE and the heartfelt reasons behind your giving. We’d love to hear your REasons Why you support RE. Let us know here.

If you haven’t yet made your gift, please consider joining this tradition of generosity. Your support today will help us begin 2026 with strength and promise. Make a gift or pledge here. Thank you!

RE Community Members Share Their REasons Why

“My commitment to giving back to the RE community stems from a deep appreciation for the long-lasting connections that I've made here. My time as a student here really impacted my life in so many meaningful ways, and seeing my children thrive here fills me with so much pride.” – Vanessa Chartouni-de la Serna ’90 P’27 ’29 ’30, Trustee and Parent Chair of The Fund for RE

“I am so grateful for all that Ransom Everglades has provided me, which made joining The Fund for RE as a volunteer an easy decision. Being part of this initiative is a way of reminding my colleagues why giving back is so important. I'm so excited that we reached 100% participation [again]. Very exciting and a testament to how grateful we all are.” – Albert Adatto P’27, Dean of the Sophomore Class, Mathematics & Computer Science Teacher, Professional Community Committee of The Fund for RE

“When I was a student here, my classmates and I were taught to lead with integrity and to promote social wellbeing. Those ideals didn't end at graduation. They became part of who we are, and it is our responsibility to carry on that legacy. The Young Benefactor Circle's mission to facilitate giving in a way that connects past and present students sustains the traditions of Ransom Everglades.” – Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein ’06, Alumni Co-Chair of The Fund for RE and Young Benefactor Circle Advisor

“With [The Fund for RE], one of the things I love the most is that there's room for everyone to be a part of it. A gift of any size matters, and it truly does make an impact at a place like RE.” – Sarah Schimmel P’29 ’32, 6th Grade Parent Team Leader of The Fund for RE

“I give because I deeply care about Ransom Everglades and the people in it. I give because I want our students and their families to know that we don’t just come here to do a job; we’re here because we believe in what we are doing. Supporting The Fund for RE is one way I can show that this work matters to me and that our students matter most of all. I'm proud to give, proud to volunteer and proud to work alongside people who care this much.” – Shellie Perdigon P’24 ’25 ’27, Student Support Services Supervisor, Professional Community Committee of The Fund for RE

“Being the son of two educators who spent 50 years in the Miami-Dade County public school system, I saw firsthand the challenges my parents faced trying to give their students the best with limited resources. That perspective has always stayed with me. At RE, our kids have access to world-class resources [that give] them a real edge. But more importantly, it encourages them to think critically, explore creatively and lead with confidence. Supporting The Fund helps ensure those opportunities continue, not just for our kids, but for all students at RE.” – Sean Zawyer P’28 ’30, 8th Grade Parent Team Leader of The Fund for RE

“Ransom Everglades was a bedrock of my personal development, providing a world-class education, lifelong friends and a sense of community at a time when my family was just beginning our life in Miami. Tuition alone can’t sustain the excellence of Ransom Everglades’ operations, which is why I feel a responsibility and a privilege to give back. Supporting The Fund for RE ensures future students can experience the same opportunities I did.” – Marc Bernstein ’03, Alumni Co-Chair of The Fund for RE