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Orlando, FL, April 6, 2007--One of the most important volunteer efforts that takes place each school year is the International Drive District’s involvement in The Central Florida Hospitality and Lodging Association (CFHLA) Adopt-A-School program.

 

The CFHLA organization formed this important program in 2002 with the mission to identify, develop and promote positive community partnerships between every public school in Central Florida and with the CFHLA Membership. The District began working with its assigned school, Pine Hills Elementary with the 2005-2006 school year. During this first year, the District provided box lunches for teachers during Parent Conferences Day; donated premium goodie bags for Principals Conference and Teach In Program. This past Christmas, the District provided dozens of holiday toys to be given to the children in the school. The toys where donated through District partner, Festival Bay Mall. Incentive prizes were also provided for students during FCAT 2006.

 

In addition, the International Drive District partners donated hundreds of dollars worth of audio visual equipment, office furniture, computer equipment, paper and office supplies.

 

“This is one of our most important partnerships for the District and it gives us great personal satisfaction,” says Luann Brooks, executive director of the International Drive Master Transit & Improvement District. “Supporting a school like Pine Hills Elementary is one of the most rewarding efforts that we undertake.

 

“We see our involvement in the Adopt-A-School Program as an investment in our future. With the support of our District Partners we have been able to make a positive impact in our community and we are very proud of our achievements.”

 

Pine Hills Elementary School Principal Debra Gore says that the efforts of the District have greatly enhanced teacher morale and has also helped students and their parents. It is a win-win for everyone.

 

“Students are going to be as successful as their teachers,” she says. “The District’s support of teachers in so many ways has enabled the teachers to stay focused on their goals of helping their students.”

 

Gore, in her third year at Pine Hills Elementary, says that the District provided dinners for teachers during conference nights, enabling teachers to have a break and refocus. Due to contributions from Darden restaurants, teachers participated in drawings in which they told their personal “favorite” stories. Gore says it reminded them of why they chose to be in this profession.

 

“The District has also collected items for families…coats, socks, jackets. Imagine how wonderful it is to be able to give a student a clean, warm jacket to wear when it is cold. We have called and asked for items that we need and the District responds. Their involvement means everything to us.”

 

Some of the goals achieved for the current school (2006/2007) year include:

 

· Monthly incentives to teachers: Provided Thirty Five (35) $15.00 gift cards for any Darden Restaurant.

· October 2006 Report Card Conference Night for Parents & Teachers: Provided 95 boxed meals (sandwich, chips, fruit & dessert). Alan Villaverde, Managing Director of the Peabody Orlando Resort provided the meals at a discount to the I-Drive District.

· November 2006 Teach In program: Provided continental breakfast for 75 participants. This program was sponsored by the ETC of Central Florida group.

· 2006 Holiday program: Donated $1,000.00 to the school to be utilized, in whole or part, for 2006 holiday programs for students and teachers.

· March 2007 Teacher Conference Day: Provided 85 boxed meals (sandwich, chops fruit, dessert & drink). Firehouse Subs on Kirkman Road provided this at a discount to the I-Drive District.

· Since the beginning of the school year (August 2006) the I-Drive District has donated over $300.00 worth of office supplies.

 

Brooks says that the District is in the process of looking ahead to the 2007-2008 school year and establishing new goals to help as many teachers and students as possible.

 

Created in 1992, the District is a special taxing district formed under a public-private initiative with Orange County, the City of Orlando and the businesses of the International Drive Resort Area. Recognized as an outstanding example of cooperation between three distinct entities, this is the first district of this type established in Florida and is now used by other regions as a model. The District is comprised of three separate Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTU) that are jointly operated under this unique partnership by a Governing Board and an Advisory Board.

 

For more information on the District’s involvement with the Adopt-A-School program or information regarding the District itself, please contact Luann Brooks at 407-248-9590.

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