In a collaborative effort to prepare for the upcoming school year, 90 volunteers from local organizations contributed 540 hours to spruce up nine schools in the Okaloosa County School District.
- The initiative, which readied the schools for the 2024-2025 academic year, was spearheaded by HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and saw participation from Eglin Federal Credit Union, Florida Power and Light, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital and Hurlburt Field.
Volunteers engaged in various tasks, including classroom setup, facility maintenance, landscaping, and organization of educational materials.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed gratitude for the community support. “Our community’s unwavering support for our students, teachers, and schools is truly inspiring,” Chambers said. “Acts of kindness like this make a profound impact on our district, and we are incredibly grateful to these volunteers for their steadfast support.”
Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, highlighted the organization’s commitment to community service.
- “We were excited to join forces with the Okaloosa County School District on nine impactful projects to help prepare our students and schools for the new year,” McCluskey said. “Our ‘We Show Up‘ volunteer initiative embodies our mission to care for and improve human lives, and we look forward to expanding these efforts and creating even more positive change in our community.”
The volunteer effort aligns with the district’s ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for students. It emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the success of schools and students’ educational experiences.
Senior Airman Jarrett Ayres from Hurlburt Field shared his motivation for participating: “I wanted to support my community and ensure our children have a positive environment to learn and grow. They are the next generation, and we are responsible for ensuring they are happy, comfortable, and safe.”
The nine schools that benefited from the volunteer work include:
- Destin Elementary School
- Edwins Elementary School
- Elliott Point Elementary School
- Plew Elementary School
- Edge Elementary School
- Mary Esther Elementary School
- Northwood Elementary School
- Southside Primary School
- Walker Elementary School.
The school district encourages those interested in future volunteer opportunities to contact catherine.card@okaloosaschools.com for more information.
