The Heights Foundation seeks donations and volunteers for annual school supply drive
Community support needed to equip 500 Harlem Heights students for the new school year
The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is calling on individuals, businesses, churches, and community organizations to participate in its annual Back-to-School Outreach. The event will take place on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at The Heights Center and will provide backpacks and essential school supplies to 500 students from the Harlem Heights neighborhood.
“Our goal is to ensure every child in Harlem Heights starts the school year prepared to succeed,” said Kathryn Kelly, founder, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “The poverty rate in our neighborhood is more than twice the county average, and many parents struggle to afford basic school supplies. This outreach helps remove barriers and sends students back to school ready to learn.”
The Center has a wish list that includes:
• New and durable backpacks (Size 17 or higher)
• 1″ three-ring binders
• Calculators (basic and scientific)
• Crayons (24/box), colored pencils (12/box), markers (10/box)
• Earbuds or headphones
• Erasers, pens, pencils, pencil cases and sharpeners
• Black dry erase markers
• Glue sticks
• Highlighters
• Lined filler paper
• Pocket folders
• School Scissors
• Rulers
• Dividers
• Index cards
• Spiral notebooks and composition books
• USB flash drives (8GB-16GB) A complete list can be found at www.heightsfoundation/org/backtoschool.
“We’re seeking partners who can make a collective impact,” said Melissa Barlow, Outreach Coordinator at The Heights Center. “Backpacks alone cost over $7,000, and it’s about $50 per student for supplies. A business could underwrite the cost of backpacks, while a church or civic group might collect crayons or folders. Every contribution helps.”
Donation deadline
Supplies must be dropped off by Wednesday, July 23 at The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers. Drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to help
• Shop online or view the supply list: heightsfoundation.org.
• Make a financial donation: heightsfoundation.org.
• Volunteer: Register at heightsfoundation.org or email Olivia Clifton at olivia@heightsfoundation.org.
• Donation questions: Contact Melissa Barlow at 239-482-7706 or melissa@heightsfoundation.org.
All donations are tax-deductible.
About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Its mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for education, opportunity, and enrichment. Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 153 children in after school and 160 children in summer camp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 78% Hispanic, 16% African-American, and 6% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.