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YourHub.com \\ Vero Beach \\ Stories \\ Education \\ Back to School

The County-wide School Supply Drive is On!

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Contributed by: Cynthia Falardeau on 6/5/2009

The last school bell has just rung! The drive is on to help children in need to start the 2009-2010 school year with new backpacks filled with necessary school supplies. The Education Foundation of Indian River County invites the public to support the County-wide School Supply Drive to benefit more than 2,000 primary and secondary students. The Foundation is joined in this community effort by the School District of Indian River County, RBC Bank, Community Church, Grand Harbor Community Outreach, Quail Valley Charities, the Treasure Coast Parrot Head Club and Scripps Newspapers.

Cash donations are being accepted at all Indian River County RBC Bank locations: Downtown Vero Beach, Beachland Boulevard, Roseland, Sebastian and Plantation-West Vero. To make a donation, simply visit one of the RBC locations and ask to make a donation to the Education Foundation's savings account: #7689051255. All funds received will be restricted for the purpose of purchasing backpacks for needy students. A donation of $15.00 will help to serve one student in need.

The Education Foundation will also be accepting checks by mail: P.O. Box 7046, Vero Beach, Florida 32961. Funds raised will be used to purchase complete backpack supply kits for students in grades Pre-K through 12th grades from Kits for Kidz, a division of Staples.

Now more than ever a cash contribution will make a difference. With a depressed economy, the need to help students from poverty level homes increases. More than 50% of school age students in Indian River County are economically disadvantaged. This means students come from homes earning less than $26,000 annually. With increased costs of fuel, food, and housing, little excess income is available to cover the basic necessities like school supplies.

The Education Foundation serves as the fundraising arm of the School District of Indian River County. The Foundation is proud to partner with the community to raise dollars to help students in need. The Education Foundation operates separately from the school district. Past President Dan Bockhorst, explains, "The school supply drive is one of the most important programs established by the Education Foundation of Indian River County. Providing our school children the tools to excel in the classroom is a fundamental need. By leveraging the dollars raised in the community we can buy in quantity and provide the exact supplies that are required. A small or large donation can make a difference in many lives for years to come. "

Backpacks will be filled with grade level appropriate supplies. All supply kits will be distributed through the School District of Indian River County. Each school's administrative staff will identify and distribute the school supplies during school orientations and the first days of school.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Harry La Cava commented, "We are so pleased that once again, the Education Foundation of Indian River County is spearheading this important initiative to provide much needed school supplies to our students. This makes a world of difference for many students, who will be able to begin the school year in August, with a new backpack full of necessary school supplies, because of their efforts.

The Education Foundation of Indian River County's mission is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities for all students and teachers, in both public and private schools, through effective fundraising and efficient allocation of resources. The Foundation funds and administers the Indian River Regional Science and Engineering Fair Program, the School Supply Fund, the Sneaker Exchange, the Great Ideas! Grants Program and Teacher Development Initiatives.

To locate an Indian River County RBC Bank to make a donation call: 1-888-769-2544. To learn more about the Community-wide School Supply Drive call Cynthia or Mary at the Education Foundation office: (772) 564-0034, or email: info@edfoundationirc.org, or visit: www.edfoundationirc.org

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