On a beautiful and unseasonably fair day in July, Huntsville Botanical Garden offered free admission to patrons who donated schools supplies for local elementary students. The Schools Foundation picked up the donated supplies and delivered them to schools to be distributed to students in time for school to start in early August. 

The Garden Community Give-Back Day was a partnership envisioned by the Educators Institute , an organization associated within The Schools Foundation. The Educators Institute is charged with, among other goals, identifying and developing partnerships with local, state, and national organizations in the support of public education and its programs.

“We picked up 11 boxes full of supplies: pencils, notebooks, supply boxes, wet wipes, folders, glue, crayons, markers—everything a child might need at his or her desk to get started on the first day” said Caitlin Still, a volunteer for The Schools Foundation. “I was amazed to see how much people were willing to give.”

Caitlin and Meghan Still, daughters of The Schools Foundation's Educators Institute member, Susan Still, delivered the supplies to Lincoln Elementary of Huntsville City, Hazel Green Elementary of Madison County and Madison City Schools' central office for distribution to new teachers' classrooms in various elementary schools in Madison City. (pictured: Meghan Still delivers to principal Mayne Jensen of Lincoln Elementary School)

“The Schools Foundation is thrilled to work with another local organization for the benefit of our local students,” said Scott McLain, president of The Schools Foundation. “This partnership illustrates The Schools Foundation’s guiding mission: to be the bridge to greater community support of our local schools.”

Marc Jacobson, who serves as a board member for both The Schools Foundation and Huntsville Botanical Garden added, “I am pleased to see effort to support local students. The collaboration of leadership from both organizations shows why Huntsville/Madison County is a world-class community.”

To see more photos of the supplies collected by the Garden Community Give-Back Day, please click here.