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During a volunteer event at Education Foundation of Palm Beach County celebrating a $12,500 donation to support their inspiring work, Elan and Gold Coast Federal Credit Union (GCFCU) surprised the non-profit with an additional $5,000 contribution.

The donations are part of the Elan Charitable Giving program and were allocated toward one of the foundation’s growing initiatives, Red Apple Supplies. The program provides educators and students with free materials to support success in the classroom. Items range from pencils and copy paper, to STEM materials and activity books for all ages. 

Dr. Adam Miller, Palm Beach County School District’s Assistant Superintendent of Performance Accountability, emphasized the importance of community funding and support of programs like this.

“Teachers pull money out of their own pockets for their students for the same reason they became teachers in the first place — because they care, they care about the kids. They're going to do whatever they need to do to make a difference and set them up for a successful future. Organizations like Red Apple [Supplies] exist to support them in that endeavor,” said Miller during a surprise visit to thank volunteers.

As part of Elan’s charitable giving initiative, employees from GCFCU and Elan gathered in West Palm Beach to volunteer together. After a tour of the facility, volunteers used shopping carts to pull items, pack each order, and write notes of gratitude to every educator. 

Later that afternoon, teachers from across Palm Beach County arrived at the drive-thru to gather their orders. Lisa, a first-grade teacher at Highland Elementary shared, “This makes a huge impact for my students. Many come without materials or supplies — they don't have a notebook, they don't have pencils, crayons, anything. I have a little boy who comes in every day, no pencil. I could argue with him and fight with him that I gave him a pencil yesterday. And instead, I just hand him a pencil because I got a nice little supply from Red Apple, because it's just not worth fighting and it just changes his whole attitude for the day. He's able to focus and learn.”

Teachers who are registered with the Red Apple Supplies program order materials online and pick-up from the warehouse. The initial $12,500 donation funded supplies for 38 teachers, and the additional $5,000 donation increased the impact to benefit 53 teachers.

Elan Account Executive Jay Torguson added, “This is really impactful to not just the teacher, but to the students. We’re able to show them, and give them, the tools that they need to make learning more enjoyable, more fun, and keep them organized to succeed.”

To learn more about the partnership between Education Foundation of Palm Beach and Gold Coast Federal Credit Union, Elan’s charitable giving campaign, and upcoming volunteer events visit www.elancharitablegiving.com.