Uncommon Friends Foundation

Character education: it's about celebrating and teaching positive human qualities, qualities that lead to productive lives and a thriving society. The Foundation's character education program teaches such traits as honesty, integrity, friendship, cooperation and perseverance. The curriculum for grades 3 thru 8 and high school and beyond provides teachers and students with activities that install ethics and positive character traits and can be integrated into all academic subject areas within the five counties of southwest Florida. The student population in this area is estimated at 83,600. The curriculum is also available online for download by educators and students worldwide.

Historic preservation and education: the Foundation and name evolved from james d. newton's book, Uncommon Friends, relating to his experiences with and observations of those who were influential in shaping the twentieth century (such as thomas a. edison, henry ford, harvey firestone, alexis carrel and charles lindbergh). The Foundation seeks to collect, preserve and exhibit archival and three-dimensional materials related to newton. In 2008, the Foundation moved into the historic 1901 burroughs home and restored it to display the newton collection. Historical tours are given to adults and children touring the national historic registered burroughs home.