Editorial: Town of Palm Beach United Way's school supply drive needs you!

Daily News Editorial Board
·2 min read
Hector Reyes of HomeSafe and Town of Palm Beach United Way director of marketing and communications Aleese Kopf pack up school supplies for children and families on Aug. 9, 2022. HomeSafe was one on the beneficiaries of last year's drive.
Hector Reyes of HomeSafe and Town of Palm Beach United Way director of marketing and communications Aleese Kopf pack up school supplies for children and families on Aug. 9, 2022. HomeSafe was one on the beneficiaries of last year's drive.

It’s almost time for our students to get back to class.

The Town of Palm Beach United Way's annual school supply drive to benefit low-income families in the county is in full swing after its kickoff last week.

Palm Beachers have always come through for the less fortunate in our county and we know this year will be no different.

The United Way was deliberate in choosing to hold the 11th Annual School Supply Drive — which ends Aug. 6 — during the two-week period that coincides with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.

Donations to this year’s drive will go to children and youth who receive services at three United Way partner agencies: the American Association of Caregiving Youth, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, and the Opportunity Early Learning Center. Supplies and funds will be divided among the three agencies.

The much-needed supplies will help low-income children prepare for the start of the school year and relieve some of the stress for their families who have to get them ready and support them through the year.

In the case of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, those middle- and high schoolers often are overwhelmed with caring for their loved ones, so the supplies "will be one less thing they will have to worry about this upcoming school year. And that's what it's all about — reducing their stress so they can be their best selves,” said Andreana Holliman, the organization's activities manager.

Last year, residents donated 16,500 items, including pencils, pens, crayons, markers, notebooks, erasers, backpacks, folders and binders. Just as important, they also donated $18,430. We encourage residents to go all-out to top those numbers this year and hit a record in donations.

Supplies can be dropped off at Town of Palm Beach fire rescue stations at 355 S. County Road and 2185 S. Ocean Blvd.; the United Way office, 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201; and Field of Greens at 261 Royal Poinciana Way, or in West Palm Beach at 412 Clematis St. The United Way also accepts donations of cash.

To donate online, visit www.palmbeachunitedway.org. Checks should be made payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with “supply drive” in the memo and mailed to 44 Cocoanut Row, M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Editorial: Town of Palm Beach United Way's school supply drive needs you!