GL Homes and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Back-To-School Drive ends Friday, July 23, with a Stuff-The-Bus event to raise enough supplies so that 2,400 Boys & Girls Club members have the materials needed for a successful school year. The Stuff-The-Bus event will occur Friday, July 23, from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Admin Office located at 800 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach. Tropical Smoothie Café will supply treats, smoothies and lunch to those that donate, while WAY-FM 88.1 promotes the drive.
“The Back-To-School drive has been a challenge due to the increased need in the community and shortened summer break. Currently, we do not have enough donated supplies to make sure that all Club members have a new backpack full of school supplies, but we are hopeful with this last big push, we will be able to receive enough donations to assist the children in our community that need us most,” said Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Marketing Eric Roby.
In addition to three dozen community partner drop-off sites, those who would like to participate can also make a virtual donation by clicking on the button below. Donors can choose the back-to-school items that they would like to purchase and shipped directly to the Clubs.
“Without these backpacks and school supplies, our members won’t be able to re-enter the classroom with everything they need to be successful, and they will continue to struggle with overcoming the achievement gap caused by the pandemic, said President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Jaene Miranda. “It’s community partners that play a huge role in making our annual Back-To-School Drive a success, and we’re counting on the community to help us in our mission of doing whatever it takes for the Club children we serve as they prepare for the new school year.”
The back-to-school drive is only one portion of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s plan to combat a growing academic gap created by the pandemic. Many Club members have essentially lost an academic year due to challenges with distance learning and has been dubbed the ‘COVID slide.’ To ensure these challenges do not translate into a life-long negative economic impact for students, 60 certified teachers continue to work with all Club members to prepare them for the new school year. Tutoring and direct help with certified teachers will continue in the Clubs through the fall to ensure the achievement gap can be overcome as quickly as possible.
Backpacks stuffed with school supplies will be given to Club members a week before school starts on August 10. Currently, the greatest need is new backpacks.
