American Heritage Schools Unite for Hurricane Milton Relief Effort
American Heritage Schools Unite for Hurricane Milton Relief Effort
In a powerful demonstration of compassion and community support, American Heritage Schools’ Broward and Palm Beach campuses joined forces to donate supplies to Hurricane Milton victims in Englewood, Florida. The collaborative drive, led by the Upper School and Inter-Club Council (ICC) from both campuses, rallied students, families, and staff to collect essential supplies for those affected in Sarasota County.
The mission was clear: fill a semi-truck with Red Cross-requested supplies and deliver them to those in need. Over several days, the community contributed toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods, pet supplies, and household essentials like inflatable beds, blankets, and flashlights. The collection drive was extended to ensure ample donations, with a final deadline on Monday, October 28.
On October 29, a dedicated team of 27 students and 7 faculty and staff members traveled by bus to deliver the collected items to Englewood. Just 1.5 miles from the drop-off site, students and faculty witnessed the devastation left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton: homes destroyed, streets lined with debris, and families grappling with loss. The group partnered with the Rotary Club of Englewood at their District 6960 location, where a pop-up storefront was set up to distribute supplies free of charge to residents in need.
Carolyn Burke, past president of the Rotary Club of Englewood, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to thank everyone who contributed to this array of food and supplies for the people of this very small community. Over 2,000 homes have been totally lost due to Milton. We are going to rebuild somehow. This whole community wants to thank Heritage. We’re all together, and we so thank you for what you are doing for us.”
American Heritage faculty leaders guided students through the experience. Mr. Bob Stone, Headmaster of the Palm Beach Campus, remarked, “I want to thank all of our American Heritage families at both campuses. We all came together and we’ve done something special and important for the people hard hit by Hurricane Milton.”
The day also allowed students to build teamwork and resilience while assisting those in need. Dr. Cavallo, Junior High Principal at the Palm Beach Campus, shared her pride in the group, saying, “We’re excited to be here, Stallions and Patriots together, supporting a community in Englewood. The students are working so great together. So, I’m happy to be part of this.”
Kevin Barry, Dean of Students at the Palm Beach Campus, echoed this sentiment, adding, “I think that what made this day special is the strength of two campuses coming together and putting forth an incredible effort. What we’ve done from our east coast to help the west coast of Florida is just amazing.”
Together, students, faculty, and staff from American Heritage embodied the school’s pillar of compassion, demonstrating the powerful impact of lending a hand in times of hardship. Witnessing the real-life impact of their actions not only strengthened their resolve to help but also instilled a deeper understanding of community service.
Through this experience, American Heritage students contributed to relief efforts and learned the value of empathy and the impact of compassionate leadership. Events like these remind us of the importance of coming together to support neighbors in need.