Pictured above is Maria Vasquez with her artwork titled, “Lady with Fan”.

A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County, a program of the Education Foundation, celebrated their 5th year anniversary this February. Since opening the doors, the program has distributed more than $5 million in valued product to underprivileged students and high need classrooms throughout the county. With more than 1,000 homeless children in Osceola County, something as simple as a pencil can make a big difference. For example, more than 600,000 pencils have been placed in the hands of students who were unable to complete homework assignments simply because they had nothing to write with at home. Statistics show that the average lower income home has only 1 or 0 age appropriate books for their children to read. The program is proud to report that children are now able to enjoy the more than 72,000 books that A Gift For Teaching has distributed to these high need homes.

A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County collects products through School Supply Drives and product donations including excess inventory, outdated product, surplus or slightly damaged merchandise and transfers it to students and teachers in our community at absolutely no cost. Teachers from high need schools are able to shop once a month receiving almost $300 in product each visit.  Click to donate, volunteer, or to learn more about A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County, call 407-348-2370 or email Marcie Hill at hillm@osceola.k12.fl.us.  (See Follow-up story below)

Student Art Makes a Sweet Deal for Needy Children

Maria Vazquez, a 5th grader from Kissimmee Elementary School, visits a local candy shop for more than just candy.  Her painting of a Gustav Klimt masterpiece was purchased for $65 by the owners of the newly opened candy shop called JenTels Candy Bouquet.  The beautiful art piece is proudly displayed on the store wall above shelves of sweet delicacies in bouquets of bright colors.   “We were blown away to discover that such a beautiful work of art was created by only a 5th grade student.  Its color, expression and artistic energy fit perfectly here among our wide variety of candy flavors, colorful bouquets and yummy creations,” said candy store owner Jennieleigh.  “More importantly, we wanted to support the children’s artistic talents and help raise money for the children in need.”

Owners Terry and Jennieleigh from JenTels Candy Bouquet

The silent auction was held during the St. Cloud Chamber After Hours on February 18th, 2009 with all proceeds benefiting A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County (AGFT-O), a program of the Education Foundation. Thirteen other talented art students from Kissimmee Elementary School created their renditions of the famous Gustav Klimt artwork that were auctioned off at the event to help AGFT-O purchase needed school supplies for children who cannot afford even the most basic tools such as pencils, crayons, back packs, paper or books. The event collected more than $555 which will purchase more than 12,330 pencils for underprivileged children. Hundreds of business professionals bid on the unique artwork. In fact, J&P Accounting walked away with two paintings including the night’s highest bid of $80 on the Mother and Child piece created by 5th grader, Javon Lopez.  Other students who displayed artwork that evening are Cristian Poventud, Michelle Gomez, Sydney Padilla, Sharol Gonzalez, Bianca Rohena, Melanie Veramendi, and Zyanya Leyva.

Through its five-year partnership with A Gift For Teaching in Orlando, AGFT-O has provided more than $5 million in products to teachers to help provide for the more than 61% of underprivileged students in Osceola County. In fact, more than 1,000 Osceola County children are considered homeless and may not have anything as basic as a pencil or paper to complete their homework assignments.  AGFT-O provides for this need by transferring the community’s surplus materials and resources free to teachers for their students in need. 

A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County has been serving teachers for five years, distributing more than $5 million in products back to teachers and students in need.  Click to donate, volunteer, or to learn more about A Gift For Teaching of Osceola County, call 407-348-2370 or email Marcie Hill at hillm@osceola.k12.fl.us. 

Art students from Kissimmee Elementary School Art Club students who created artworks for an auction to help raise money for A Gift for Teaching First Row( L-R): Cristian Poventud,  Maria Vasquez, Michelle Gomez, Sydney Padilla Second Row (L-R): Sharol Gonzalez, Bianca Rohena, Javon Lopez, Melanie Veramendi, Zyanya Leyva