'Back to School -- After the Storm' drive successful

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — After the devastation left by Hurricane Maria and thousands of families affected in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other parts of the Caribbean, they are coming to Central Florida with friends and families. WFTV 9 Family Connection partnered with the Education Foundation of Osceola County the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Goodwill and Hope Now Central Florida on a "Back to School -- After the Storm" school supply drive.

The back to school drive ran from Oct. 20-31. In that short amount of time, Central Florida help collect over 300 backpacks, 700 pounds of school supplies, enough cash donations to
to purchase 1,750 more backpacks, hygiene kits, jeans and jackets. Each school district will get 1,500 pairs of jeans.

As of Nov. 7, there were 2,227 (?) new students in Orange County alone -- including 1,666 from Puerto Rico and 241 from the Virgin Islands -- and all were victims of this season's hurricanes. There was even a new student displaced from the devastating earthquake, which struck Mexico City on Sept. 19.

Central Florida is a hub for many families relocating, either temporarily or for good. Either way, they need the community's help. If the kids feel welcomed, the better they will do in school and survive the storm. A little help to these families go a long way.

Thank you Central Florida!

If you would like to start your very own donation drive contact them here: volunteer@goodwillcfl.org

¡Gracias Florida Central, la colecta de útiles escolares para las víctimas de los huracanes en el Caribe fue todo un triunfo! Sus donativos ayudarán a los niños, nuevos integrantes de las escuelas públicas de Florida Central, a comenzar el año escolar bien preparados. Una pequeña ayuda puede hacer una gran diferencia. 

Si usted quiere hacer una colecta en grupo, Goodwill de Florida Central lo puede ayudar. Escríba a volunteer@goodwillcfl.org para más información. 

Cox Media Group