United Way of Palm Beach to start annual school supply drive on July 25
With the first day of school only weeks away, the Town of Palm Beach United Way will begin its 10th annual school supply drive on July 25.
The supplies will be distributed to low-income families ''so students have the resources they need to succeed in school,'' the United Way stated in a Tuesday news release. The drive runs through Aug. 8; the first day of school is two days later.
Supplies such as crayons, markers, pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks and other items will be collected.
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This year's event, which includes a first-time logo contest, will benefit children who receive services at thee United Way partner agencies: Adopt-A-Family, HomeSafe and the Milagro Center. The dates coincide with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
“Unfortunately, new school supplies are a luxury many families cannot afford,” said Bill Tiefel, board chairman of the Town of Palm Beach United Way. “But with the help of the Palm Beach community, we hope to collect thousands of supplies to support students in need.”
United Way of Palm Beach works three partner agencies
The Milagro Center, which is based in Delray Beach, provides afterschool programs to ''economically challenged and academically at-risk children'' in grades K-12. Services include academic tutoring, cultural arts enrichment and mentoring.
“For the underserved families who send their children to Milagro Center’s afterschool program, these back-to-school supplies are very critical and extremely needed,” said Barbara Stark, president and CEO of Milagro Center. “Many of our families cannot afford new notebooks and pencils, never mind the cost of a new backpack. Having new school supplies builds their self-esteem and puts them on the positive path to learning.”
Adopt-A-Family helps low-income families who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, achieve stability and self-sufficiency through housing programs and comprehensive supportive services.
HomeSafe provides prevention and intervention programs focused on protecting victims of child abuse and domestic violence and preparing children, young adults and families for safer, more productive lives.
The drive is held in partnership with the Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach Fire-Rescue and the Field of Greens restaurant. Supplies can be dropped off at the United Way office at 44 Cocoanut Row; Field of Greens, 261 Royal Poinciana Way; or two of the three Palm Beach Fire-Rescue stations. The stations are at 355 S. County Road and 2185 S. Ocean Blvd.
Cash contributions also will be accepted at www.palmbeachunitedway.org, or checks can 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.
New this year is the logo contest. Students 18 and under can submit a drawing depicting the annual school supply drive, and it could be selected to serve as next year’s logo, which will appear on the event's webpage, flyers, print advertising and social media. The winning student also will receive a $200 Amazon gift card.
Those wanting to participate should submit their drawing with a brief description of what they created and why. All submissions will be judged ''in terms of artistic merit, creativity, and how well the theme is communicated through the artwork.'' Entries should be mailed delivered to the United Way office by Aug. 8.
The United Way collected 19,698 items and $22,500 during last year's drive, which benefited Take Stock in Children, the Achievement Centers and the American Association of Caregiving Youth.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach United Way's school supply drive helps low-income families
