When schools reopen in August, students and teachers will be back in the classroom and they will need the tools to succeed.
Red for Ed, the Education Foundation of Lake County’s annual school supply drive will be held throughout the month of July. Donations of school supplies will be gratefully accepted at collection boxes located at various community businesses or through the Red for Ed online shop.
“During the 2020-21 school year, more than 1,100 teachers shopped for free school supplies at our three Apple-Mart shops, a 60% increase in traffic over previous years,” said Carman Cullen, Executive Director. “Teachers not only picked up supplies for themselves but also stocked up on pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, and Personal Protective Equipment for students who could not afford the tools needed to complete their classroom work.”
In addition to stocking the Apple-Mart locations, school supplies collected during Red for Ed are used to stuff thousands of backpacks which are given to children in need who are enrolled in Lake County Schools.
Last year when social distancing protocols were in place, Leesburg-based digital marketing agency TH@T Company!, a longtime supporter of Red for Ed, developed an online shop so donors could purchase supplies for students and teachers. Purchased items were delivered directly to the warehouse for distribution to Apple-Marts.
“The Red for Ed online shop was well-received, so we are offering that option for the community to make donations,” said Cullen. “And we are, of course, grateful for the many local businesses who accepted collection boxes where donors can deliver physical supplies for the campaign.”
Thanks to these generous Lake County area businesses for agreeing to receive physical school supplies for the campaign:
- Addition Financial, 1000 Primera Blvd., Lake Mary
- AdventHealth Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way
- Chick Fil A, 17240 US 441, Mount Dora
- Citizens First Bank, 800 W. North Blvd., Leesburg
- Citizens First Bank, 3290 US Hwy 441/27, Fruitland Park
- FunVenture, LLC, 628 S. Bay Street, Eustis
- Insight Credit Union, 2580 E. Hwy 50, Clermont
- Insight Credit Union, 15120 US Hwy 441, Eustis
- Insight Credit Union, 530 N. Hwy 441/27, Lady Lake
- Insight Credit Union, 300 Webster Street, Leesburg
- Insight Credit Union, 8865 S. US Hwy 441, Leesburg
- Jenkins Volkswagen, 9501 US Hwy 441, Leesburg
- Lake Dermatology, 1132 E. North Blvd., Leesburg
- Lake Square Mall, 20401 Hwy 441, Leesburg
- LassiterWare, 1317 Citizens Blvd., Leesburg
- Premier Care Home Care, 1711 Citrus Blvd., Leesburg
- Realtors Association of Lake & Sumter Counties, 3001 SR 19, Tavares 32778
- Renew Day Spa, 214 W. Main Street, Leesburg
- Sellstate Innovation Realty, 17321 Pagonia Rd., Bldg. K, Ste. 245, Clermont
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, 1935 Don Wickham Dr., Clermont
- UF Health Leesburg, 609 W. Dixie Avenue, Leesburg
- United Southern Bank, 24510 SR 40, Astor
- United Southern Bank, 1510 E. Hwy 50, Clermont
- United Southern Bank, 2701 S. Bay St., Eustis
- United Southern Bank, 224 US Hwy 27, Unit C, Lady Lake
- United Southern Bank, 27524 Hwy 441, Leesburg
- United Southern Bank, 1021 CR 44, Lisbon
- United Southern Bank, 19010 Hwy 441, Mount Dora
- United Southern Bank, 1303 New Hampshire Ave., Tavares
- United Southern Bank, 13609 US Hwy 441, The Villages
- United Southern Bank, 750 N. Central Ave., Umatilla
A collection event will be held Monday, August 2, from 4 – 6 p.m., at Wooton Park, in Tavares where participating organizations can deliver supplies they collected. For information about becoming a Red for Ed drop-off location, please call 352-326-1265 or email edfoundation@lake.k12.fl.us. –