August 8 – Backpack Distribution
Today, Comcast Florida’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Michelle Oyola McGovern visited Palm Springs Elementary School. The leader surprised 1,150 students with their own backpacks filled with essential supplies to kick off the new school year.
July 25, 2024 – Backpack Build at Red Apple Supplies
As families across South Florida get ready for a new school year, there’s plenty of students who will need a little extra help checking off their school supply lists. In that spirit, volunteers recently gathered to make sure all of our community’s future leaders are ready to learn once they return to the classroom. A group of 18 volunteers from Team Up partnered with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County for the event. They stuffed backpacks with school supplies at the foundation’s Red Apple Supplies in Rivera Beach.
Cory Boggs volunteered for the Team UP event alongside her teenage daughter. Team UP is an always-on, 365-days-a-year effort to provide Comcast employees opportunities to get more involved in their community. Boggs, Director of Customer Service Strategy & Operations for Comcast’s Florida Region, said it’s important to take time to help others.
“We are fortunate enough to have the ability and resources to support the communities we live in and serve,” said Boggs. “It is extremely rewarding to be able to volunteer while blending my work and home families. It is a win-win for me.”
James Gavrilos leads the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County as its President & CEO. He challenged volunteers to look beyond the backpacks. He said fulfilling these essential needs results in long-lasting impacts. Teachers don’t need to dip into their own resources to meet students’ basic needs and students feel empowered to tackle their educational work by having the necessary tools.
“You are not just giving backpacks,” said Gavrilos. “You are giving them hope, dignity and a sense of self.”
Gavrilo thanked Comcast employees and their families for participating and encouraged them to continue their volunteerism. In record time, the group filled 1,150 backpacks that will be donated to local schools for the upcoming academic year.
“We might not be able to change the world with this event,” said Gavrilos. “But it’s a step in the right direction. If we change a kid’s life, we can change the classroom, if we change the classroom, we can change the school and if we change the school, we create limitless opportunities for our youth!”
Shaun McIntosh Brown said she loved hearing the message of support. Brown, an Accounting and Finance Analyst for Comcast’s Florida Region, said she felt accomplished knowing her work will impact a child’s life this upcoming school year.
“It feels amazing to have the chance to give back,” said Brown. “Thanks to events like this, we can make a difference in people’s lives, promote personal growth and self-esteem and that is priceless. The team spirit that my fellow Comcasters brought was incredible”
Comcast and its employees are actively involved in the local communities that they serve. In fact, earlier this year, Team UP volunteers recently came together to pack essential supplies for 267 children in West Palm Beach. Since 2010, the tech leader has made over $10.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions to different non-profit efforts in West Palm Beach County.
