In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Hillsborough Education Foundation and Pinellas Education Foundation have raised a total of $2.8 million to support schools, students and educators affected by the storms.
HEF launched a Hurricane Relief Fund and, with help from donors and community partners, raised over $1.2 million. The funds are being used to distribute nearly 500 Backpack Kits filled with school supplies and to support displaced teachers, and staff, with financial aid. Over $30,000 worth of classroom materials have been replaced and additional supplies are being distributed through HEF’s Teaching Tools Resource Center.
The Pinellas Education Foundation raised $1.6 million, combining over $1 million in donations and $600,000 from the Foundation’s reserves. Most of the funds have gone toward providing financial assistance to over 500 Pinellas County Schools employees affected by the storms. The Foundation has also supplied bulk school materials for displaced students and is replacing personal items lost by teachers in damaged classrooms.