As under-served Broward County Public School students return to their classrooms, many of them will be prepared to succeed thanks to the participation of local businesses, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, municipalities and civic organizations in the annual Tools for Schools Broward back to school drive.
Broward Education Foundation established Tools for Schools Broward so Title I Broward County Public School teachers can have access to free school supplies for their students and classrooms twice a year. More than 4,500 teachers shop at Tools for School Broward annually and more than 10,000 teachers and students have benefited from the program since its inception.
The need is great. As the 6th largest school district in the nation, Broward County has more than 173 Title I schools that have 50%+ of their students eligible for free and reduced lunch.
While these essential supplies provide students with an increase in self-esteem and an equal learning environment for all, they also make it possible for teachers to enhance classroom activities.
We extend a special thank you to the companies that participated in this year’s back to school drive including ABB OPTICAL GROUP, Blaze Pizza, People’s Trust Insurance, Broward College, Fifth Third Bank, Forecast Trading Corporation, Zumba Fitness, First American, Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, State Farm Insurance, Shaping Change, LLC, Keiser University, Safelite Auto Glass, Prescod Life and Health, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, Dometic Corporation, Midtown Athletic Club, Ultimate Software, Wells Fargo, Women with Pride, SAGE of South Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce GLBX, The Pride Center at Equality Park, AECOM, Bank of America, Brightstar Credit Union, Bristol West Insurance Group (a member of Farmers Insurance Group), Cardinal Health, Church by the Sea, Ciena Communications, Coconut Creek Auto Mall, Convergent Revenue Cycle Management, Coral Cove Elementary, Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Weston, CT Corporation, e-Builder Inc., FAU Davie, Federal Highway Self Storage, FHP Manufacturing, Food and Nutrition Services-BCPS, Frank H. Furman Inc., Grau & Associates, Great Expressions Dental Centers, Holland & Knight LLP, Impact Broward, Ivan J. Smith & Co., Inc. REALTORS, LIV UP CrossFit, Medivance Billing Service, Plantation Courtyard by Marriott, Randall Iten Insurance Agency, Sawgrass Mills, School Board of Broward County, FL Procurement & Warehousing Services, Sentry Self Storage, Solstice Benefits, Steven Douglas Associates, Stonegate Bank, Stryker, TheraPeeds Family Center, Thomas Chiropractic Center, TMC, Toyota Tsusho America, Inc., UBS Financial Services, Inc., UnitedLex and USA Self Storage.
Tools for Schools Broward is a collaborative effort between Kids in Need Foundation, the Broward County School District, local businesses and community volunteers. During the past academic year, Tools for Schools Broward donated more than $1.4 million worth of school supplies to Broward County School teachers and their students.
School supplies are accepted year-round at Tools for School Broward, 2300 W. Copans Road in Pompano Beach. The most needed items include 100-page composition books, glue sticks, 24-pack crayons, dry erase markers, colored pencils, two-pocket folders, pink erasers, filler paper, pencils and pencil cases.
Monetary donations can be made to http://browardedfoundation.org/drive/. A $50 cash donation will fill an entire backpack with much needed school supplies.
For more information, email mari-lee.baxter@browardschools or call 754-321-2034.
