Pictured: Jennifer Johnston and Michelle Stout with Gulf Coast Community Foundation make a thank-you package to students at Cork Elementary School for their philanthropy. Photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Cork Elementary School in Plant City gave a thoughtful donation to Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Hurricane Ian Recovery Initiative. In the month of October, they began a “Penny War” where together students raised $2,225.20 for Gulf Coast in just one school week following the storm to support disaster relief. The elementary school’s contribution was leveraged with other donor gifts for a $10,000 grant award for students at State College of Florida, Venice campus. The grant will cover the cost of 50 bus passes for Venice students whose vehicles were damaged in the hurricane or who were otherwise affected financially and are struggling with transportation to the campus. Gulf Coast sent a package to Cork Elementary thanking them for their generosity. This is a stellar example of youth taking the lead to benefit those who suffered from the storm.

Pictured: Jennifer Johnston and Michelle Stout with Gulf Coast Community Foundation make a thank-you package to students at Cork Elementary School for their philanthropy. Photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.