United Way school supply drive a best so far
Readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic. And crayons. Thousands and thousands of crayons.
Thanks to the generosity of Palm Beachers, there will be no want of erasers, pencils, markers or especially crayons at the three schools that benefited from the 2018 Boxed For Success School Supply Drive.
The haul? More than $14,600 in cash donations, 13,200 sheets of notebook paper, 6,048 crayons, 4,595 pencils, 2,330 tissues, 1,323 markers, 538 glue sticks and 316 notebooks. The cash total was by far the most in the drive’s six-year history, more than doubling the previous high of nearly $7,000 in 2014.
All supplies and cash donations were distributed evenly to three Title 1 elementary schools in Palm Beach County, where more than 90 percent of students are economically disadvantaged: Belle Glade, C.O. Taylor/Kirklane in Palm Springs and Highland in Lake Worth.
“All of these supplies will be put to good use,” said Elena Villani, principal of Highland Elementary. “They will help us achieve our goal of becoming an A-graded school.”
The drive, which concluded Aug. 6, is an annual project of the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s Youth United group, students in grades 6 to 12 who are dedicated to helping their communities, engaging their peers and improving opportunities for youth in Palm Beach County.
Mercedes Cassidy and Lily Guari lead the Youth United group.
“Being able to be a part of this year’s Boxed for Success meant a lot to us because we got to be a part of making kids feel happy,” said Cassidy. Added Guari: “This being our first year as co-chairs, we did not know what to expect. Reaching this amount made us so proud and we are thrilled knowing these supplies will help students in need.”
More than 40 of the more than 150 donors opted to participate in the shoebox decorating contest, which awarded prizes in four categories. Winners are Parker Pressly, of Palm Beach, who won a $100 Amazon gift card for Best Overall; Joann Cioffoletti, of Loxahatchee, $25 gift card for Most Creative; Holden Smith, of West Palm Beach, $25 gift card for Most Colorful; and Kaitlynn Ovian, of Palm City, $25 gift card for Best Theme.
“We are so grateful for all the hard work of our Youth United group,” said Beth Walton, chief executive officer of the Town of Palm Beach United Way. “They spent countless hours organizing the drive, collecting the supplies, inventorying them and delivering them to the schools. They are an amazing group of young people.”
In addition to the Cassidy and Guari, members of the 2018-19 Youth United Committee includes John Caruso, Madeline Caruso, Johnny Cassidy, Madison Fabbri, Peyton Gaillard, MacCrea Murphy, Emma Quattlebaum, Parker Ward and Win Ward.
Palm Beach Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach Daily News partnered with Youth United in the project.
Timothy D. Burke, publisher of the Daily News and Palm Beach Post, thanked donors for contributing to the drive’s most successful year ever.
“You’ve come through to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of students in Palm Beach County,” Burke said. “We appreciate your generous spirit and wish all the students a great start to the school year.”