Town of Palm Beach United Way annual school supply drive starts Sunday
The Town of Palm Beach United Way's annual school supply drive to benefit low-income families in the county kicks off Sunday and runs through Aug. 6.
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.
The dates for the two-week long 11th Annual School Supply Drive coincide with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, the United Way noted in a release.
“Every child deserves to be able to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed,” Board Chairman Bill Tiefel said in a prepared statement. “Our annual school supply drive provides students with the necessary supplies while giving them excitement and optimism.”
The school supply drive is conducted in collaboration with Field of Greens, Palm Beach Daily News, and Palm Beach Fire Rescue.
Donations to this year’s drive will benefit children and youth who receive services at Town of Palm Beach United Way partner agencies American Association of Caregiving Youth, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, and Opportunity Early Learning Center. Supplies and funds will be divided between the three agencies.
The Opportunity center will provide the school supplies to families with children enrolled in their early education programs. The agency offers low cost, quality preschool child care and support services for 96 children and their families.
Supplies donated to the Literacy Coalition will help pre-school, youth and adults enrolled in the agency’s literacy programs in Belle Glade and Delray Beach.
The American Association of Caregiving Youth will distribute supplies to middle and high school students who are caregivers to family members who are chronically ill, disabled and/or elderly.
“Oftentimes our caregiving youth are filled with the overwhelming stress of ensuring they are providing the best care possible for their loved one while wondering if their household can afford basic necessities,” said American Association of Caregiving Youth activities manager Andreana Holliman in a prepared statement. “Receiving supplies for back to school 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.”
And, for the second consecutive year, the school supply drive will feature a logo contest. Students 18 and under can submit a drawing depicting the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s annual School Supply Drive and it could be selected to serve as next year’s logo. The winning student will also receive a $200 Amazon Gift Card.
To participate, students 18 years and younger must submit their drawing with a brief description of what they created and why. Drawings and descriptions should be delivered or mailed to Town of Palm Beach United Way by Aug. 7. Last year’s winning design, which is serving as this year’s logo, was created by Caroline Ghirardini of West Palm Beach.
To donate online to the school supply drive, 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: Town of Palm Beach United Way school supply drive starts July 23, 2023
