Businesses, Churches Help
Local Students Get Off to Great Start
More than 700 Alachua County Public School children are back in school and well-equipped to learn thanks to the generosity of local businesses, churches and other organizations.
Several of the district’s Partners in Education have donated backpacks, pencils, paper and other school supplies for distribution to local students. The staff at Macy’s Department Store, for example, raised money for their donation through a charity sales day. As a result of their efforts, all 4th and 5th graders at Terwilliger Elementary School received a school box with pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, markers and other important learning tools.
“It was a natural fit for us with Terwilliger located right across the street,” said store manager Dana Clayton. “We wanted the students to have the supplies they’ll need to be successful in school.”
Every year there are many local students whose families cannot afford even basic school supplies. The downturn in the economy has put even more families in that situation. School and district officials say that makes the donations from the community even more critical.
“Every parent wants to provide what their kids’ teachers ask for, but sometimes they just don’t have the funds,” said Idylwild Elementary principal Barbara Henry. “The donated supplies really help the students focus on their school work.”
Other local organizations that stepped up to the plate this year include Pavlik Orthodontics, Infinite Energy, Barr Systems, Abundant Grace Community Church, Redvision, RBC Bank, River Cross Church and Covenant Church. All provided donations to their partner schools so that more students would be ready for the school year.
Kelley Kostamo, who directs the school district’s Partners in Education Program, says that despite the poor economy, the annual Supply Drive continues to grow.
“We appreciate the generosity of our business partners, who do so much for our schools throughout the school year,” she said. “Thanks to their efforts, more students will have the opportunity to excel.”
Businesses, churches or other organizations interested in becoming a Partner in Education can contact Kostamo at (352) 955-6900 or through e-mail at kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu.