Page 7 - Palm City Spotlight - September '19
P. 7
Palm City Spotlight, Page 7
nonprofit news
United Way Of Martin County United Way of Martin
County President/CEO
Provides Local Students With Carol G. Houwaart-
Tools For Success Diez.
This year The Tools for
Success program provided
More than 8,000 Martin County students went back classrooms at JD Parker
to school to classrooms that were already stocked with Elementary School, Port
pencils, notebooks and other necessary supplies thanks Salerno Elementary
to United Way of Martin County’s Tools for Success School, Hobe Sound
initiative. More than 190,000 supplies were provided Elementary School, Volunteers Leslie Judd and Evan
to all Title 1 elementary schools, saving local families Warfield Elementary McCarthy sort supplies for Tools
nearly $55,000. The goal of the first-year pilot project School and SeaWind for Success.
was simple – alleviate the financial burden of back to Elementary School with
school supplies while making sure all students have the supplemental supplies,
supplies they need on day one. making the list going
According to a recent study, the average family home to the parents a
spends $500 on back-to-school needs including supplies, lot shorter. Thanks to a Pinewood Elementary School receives school supplies from Tools
clothing, shoes and backpacks. For a family that is already partnership with Publix for Success. Left to right: Aimee Morrell, assistant principal;
struggling to make ends meet, this can be particularly Super Markets Tools Rachel Terlizzi, United Way of Martin County; Patricia Morris,
challenging. And it’s not only parents who are feeling the for Schools program, assistant principal; and Jennifer Radcliffe, principal
pinch – teachers are also digging into their own pockets these five elementary
to purchase supplies for their students. schools were provided
To tackle this important project, United Way of Martin with the common
County did what it does best; they rallied their partners school supplies, from
to make change happen for the better. Martin County No. 2 pencils to safety
School District, other nonprofits, donors, businesses and scissors, for every
civic groups combined efforts to donate, sort and deliver student attending those
supplies directly into the classrooms. schools. Martin County High School
“Many local organizations have been holding school Additionally, as part students Alex and Dylan Truver
supply drives for years to help students in need, but until of the pilot program, sort supplies for Tools for
now there has never been a united, organized effort,” said Pinewood Elementary Success.
Diane Lott Sells Real Estate
Sell for 4% Students 4H20 generously donated paper towels and Reich &
FREE Consultation & Market Analysis Mancini, P.A. donated index cards for the Tools for Success
program. Pictured left to right: Carol G. Houwaart-Diez,
Call today: 954-294-5060 Adriana Mancini, Christopher Carnes and Emily Osborn
School and Willoughby
Diane Lott, Broker/Owner Learning Center received
Paradise Found Realty, Inc. 100 percent of the school
1111 Martin Downs Blvd, Suite A supplies their students need
Palm City for the 2019/20 school
year. Parents only needed
to provide students with a
Visit us on: backpack without wheels.
www.ParadiseFoundRealtyFl.com “Many parents have
expressed their gratitude
for this program as it has
saved them a significant
amount of money and
time while preparing for
a successful school year,” Joy Puerta and Bolivar Gomez
said Jennifer Radcliff, drop off heaps of markers
principal at Pinewood collected by employees at
Elementary School. “The the Martin County Board of
teachers are thankful that County Commissioners for our
they had all of the school Tools for Success initiative.
supplies at their fingertips
for the first day of class. We are all thankful to United
Way for making this possible.”
Funding from sponsors including Tom and Polly
Campenni, Jim Noble, PNC Bank, Publix Supermarkets,
TUESDAY and Harold Jenkins, County Commissioner District 3,
helped provide the 190,005 supplies needed. “This truly
was a collaborative effort and it was amazing to see the
individuals from all walks of life come together to support
October 15 2019
our students. Parents even payed it forward by donating
supplies to the effort,” Houwaart-Diez said.
Approximately 160 volunteers came together to count
5:30-8:30 p.m.
and sort the supplies for 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.
Tickets available at “This program is in its infancy stage and we are looking
www.mentorbig.org/events forward to watching the community come together to
collaborate with a long-term goal of helping every student
772-283-8373 and teacher in Martin County,” Houwaart-Diez said.
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT Presented by About United Way
United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach & Martin Counties is a 501C(3), not-for-profit organization as recognized by the United lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
States Internal Revenue Service. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID #: 59-2676889.
Since 1972, the United Way has been working to create
long-term social change and provide support to Martin
County residents by investing in programs that strive to:
enhance healthy living, improve education and support
financial stability.
