The Gift of Confidence
We hope you enjoyed a meaningful Thanksgiving with the people who matter most! And after a holiday devoted to giving thanks, it feels fitting to share a story about someone whose quiet generosity makes a lasting difference…
Every fall, as our students prepare for what’s next, one familiar friend returns to the Path to College campus: Susan Damon, owner of The Tux Shop.
For years, Susan has come in person (tape measure in hand) to custom-fit each of our young men for the suits they’ll wear into the next chapter of their lives. She does this during the height of her busiest season, taking the time to greet every student by name and ensure every sleeve and seam fits just right.
Because these aren’t just suits; they’re statements. Each one quietly tells a young person: You belong in every room you enter.
When we asked Susan why she continues this tradition year after year, she smiled and said: “Every student I meet reminds me why I do this. When they stand a little taller in front of that mirror, you can see confidence take root. That’s what it’s all about.”
And this year, those suits are ready just in time for our upcoming Speed Interview Night, where students meet local professionals to practice job interviews and grow their confidence.
One of our juniors, Pharoe, put it best: “I feel as though getting my suit fitted was an amazing experience. That being my first time being fitted, I felt like I was in a movie. It also surprisingly gave me a lot of confidence, everything fitted right, and I looked great, so I would definitely recommend it.”
Susan’s generosity reminds us that philanthropy isn’t always about money…It’s about presence. It’s the steady kind that shows up year after year, helping young people see their own worth reflected back at them.
Why Giving Now Matters
This holiday season is uniquely important for charitable giving. At a recent Bernstein Nonprofit Workshop, we learned about an important change coming to charitable giving.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the new One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) will change how charitable deductions work:
Individuals will only be able to deduct charitable gifts after they exceed 0.5% of income.
Corporations will face a 1% floor for deductions.
That means 2025 is the final year to give under the current, more flexible rules.
Giving before year-end is not only strategic (maximizing your potential tax benefit), it is also deeply impactful, sustaining the programs our students rely on to pursue a debt-free college education.
Light the Path: Our Year-End Campaign
This week, you’ll receive your Light the Path letter in the mail. This annual campaign fuels our mission all year long—providing free test prep, mentorship, guidance, and college and career support to hundreds of Palm Beach County students.
Every dollar lights the way forward. Your generosity turns potential into opportunity and keeps the doors of access wide open for students who are ready to work hard for a brighter future.
You can make your year-end gift online today and help illuminate the path for the next generation of leaders.
And there are more ways than ever to make an impact:
Give through your Donor Advised Fund
Make a gift of stock or crypto
Or make a traditional year-end contribution
Don’t Miss Shine & Dine!
Before we turn the page to a new year, save the date for our Shine & Dine Gala—an evening that celebrates community, generosity, and the shared belief that education changes everything.
✨ Saturday, January 24, 2026
📍 Kravis Center – Cohen Pavilion
🎟️ Tickets and sponsorships available now
Join us for an unforgettable night of impact and inspiration as we honor the students, mentors, and partners who make this work possible. Together, we’ll raise a glass to the bright futures you help create.
A Season of Gratitude
As November comes to an end, we’re reflecting on the many ways generosity shows up. Sometimes it’s a scholarship or a corporate sponsorship. Sometimes it’s a local business owner with a measuring tape, giving students the gift of confidence.
However you choose to give, please know this: your support changes lives. Because of you, our students don’t just dream of success…they prepare for it, dressed in belief and belonging.
With heartfelt appreciation,
The Path to College Team
“Together, we clear the path.”
