Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '19
P. 4
Page 4, Martin Downs
nonproFit nEws
United Way Of Martin County
Provides Local Students With
Tools For Success
More than 8,000 Martin County students went back to
school to classrooms that were already stocked with pencils,
notebooks and other necessary supplies thanks to United Way
of Martin County’s Tools for Success initiative. More than
190,000 supplies were provided to all Title 1 elementary
schools, saving local families nearly $55,000. The goal of
the first-year pilot project was simple – alleviate the financial
burden of back to school supplies while making sure all
students have the supplies they need on day one. Martin County High School students Alex and Dylan Truver Volunteers Leslie Judd and Evan McCarthy sort supplies for
According to a recent study, the average family spends sort supplies for Tools for Success. Tools for Success.
$500 on back-to-school needs including supplies, clothing,
shoes and backpacks. For a family that is already struggling Warfield Elementary School and SeaWind Elementary Campenni, Jim Noble,
to make ends meet, this can be particularly challenging. And School with supplemental supplies, making the list going PNC Bank, Publix
it’s not only parents who are feeling the pinch – teachers are home to the parents a lot shorter. Thanks to a partnership Supermarkets, and
also digging into their own pockets to purchase supplies for with Publix Super Markets Tools for Schools program, these Harold Jenkins, County
their students. five elementary schools were provided with the common Commissioner District
To tackle this important project, United Way of Martin school supplies, from No. 2 pencils to safety scissors, for 3, helped provide
County did what it does best; they rallied their partners to every student attending those schools. the 190,005 supplies
make change happen for the better. Martin County School Additionally, as part of the pilot program, Pinewood needed. “This truly was
District, other nonprofits, donors, businesses and civic groups Elementary School and Willoughby Learning Center a collaborative effort
combined efforts to donate, sort and deliver supplies directly received 100 percent of the school supplies their students and it was amazing to
into the classrooms. need for the 2019/20 school year. Parents only needed to see the individuals from
“Many local organizations have been holding school provide students with a backpack without wheels. all walks of life come
supply drives for years to help students in need, but until now “Many parents have expressed their gratitude for this together to support our
there has never been a united, organized effort,” said United program as it has saved them a significant amount of money students. Parents even
Way of Martin County President/CEO Carol G. Houwaart- and time while preparing for a successful school year,” said payed it forward by
Diez. Jennifer Radcliff, principal at Pinewood Elementary School. donating supplies to the
This year The Tools for Success program provided “The teachers are thankful that they had all of the school effort,” Houwaart-Diez
classrooms at JD Parker Elementary School, Port Salerno supplies at their fingertips for the first day of class. We are said. Joy Puerta and Bolivar Gomez
Elementary School, Hobe Sound Elementary School, all thankful to United Way for making this possible.” Approximately drop off heaps of markers collected
Funding from sponsors including Tom and Polly 160 volunteers came by employees at the Martin County
together to count and Board of County Commissioners
sort the supplies for for our Tools for Success initiative.
the various schools and
grade levels. In addition to the schools that were scheduled
to receive supplies, overflow supplies were provided to other
schools, preschools and nonprofits.
“This program is in its infancy stage and we are looking
forward to watching the community come together to
collaborate with a long-term goal of helping every student
and teacher in Martin County,” Houwaart-Diez said.
About United Way
United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve
lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
Pinewood Elementary School receives school supplies from Since 1972, the United Way has been working to create long-
Tools for Success. Left to right: Aimee Morrell, assistant Students 4H20 generously donated paper towels and Reich & term social change and provide support to Martin County
principal; Rachel Terlizzi, United Way of Martin County; Mancini, P.A. donated index cards for the Tools for Success residents by investing in programs that strive to: enhance
Patricia Morris, assistant principal; and Jennifer Radcliffe, program. Pictured left to right: Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, healthy living, improve education and support financial
principal Adriana Mancini, Christopher Carnes and Emily Osborn stability.
When it comes to your to-do
list, put your future fi rst.
To fi nd out how to get your fi nancial
goals on track, contact your Edward
Jones fi nancial advisor today.
You’re Retired. TUESDAY
Your Money Isn’t.
To learn why consolidating your October 15 2019
retirement accounts to Edward Jones
makes sense, contact your Edward 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Jones financial advisor today.
Tickets available at
Bryce Buchanan
Financial Advisor www.mentorbig.org/events
2900 SW Town Center Way 772-283-8373
Jamie L Chapogas, Palm City, FL 34990
AAMS® 772-463-7189 PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT Presented by
Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach & Martin Counties is a 501C(3), not-for-profit organization as recognized by the United
Member SIPC
. 2900 S W Town Center Way States Internal Revenue Service. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID #: 59-2676889.
FAP-1966C-A Palm City, FL 34990
www.edwardjones.com
772-463-7189
Member SIPC
