This year, The Great Big Backpack Build returned to the Orange County Convention Center in a space twice the size of last year’s. This ultimate team-building event kicked off A Gift for Teaching’s Ready for Back-to-School campaign with an incredible feat: a record-breaking number of backpacks filled with essential supplies!
In one morning of impact and inspiration, 34 corporate teams came together with a mission: to build backpacks for brighter futures.
More than 21,000 backpacks were packed full of core school supplies with the help of 400+ energetic volunteers. These backpacks will make their way to more than 140 Orange County public schools, as well as public schools in Osceola County, with the highest needs.
EXCITING NEWS!
These backpacks are already making their way to public schools in our community!
This success was made possible by the generous contributions of our community partners: from funding the essential supplies to contributing nearly $600,000 in production services, venue space, and in-kind materials. These profound collaborations help ensure additional donations raised this summer can go directly to providing even more educational resources that inspire future leaders – creating an impact that lasts well beyond the event.
Thanks to our community’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, 21,000 children in Central Florida will be prepared and excited to learn this fall!
A special thanks to these hardworking teams for building backpacks for brighter futures:
Addition Financial
Albu & Associates
American College of Education
Charles Schwab
David Weekley Homes
Duke Energy
Education Foundation of Osceola County
Enterprise Mobility
FAIRWINDS Credit Union
Freeman
JCQ Services
Little
Nelson Financial Planning
Nemours Children’s Health
Net Conversion
Orange County Commissioners
Orange County Public School Teachers
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Orlando Magazine
Orlando Magic
OUC – The Reliable One
Publix Super Markets Charities
Ricoh
Rollins College
Smart City Networks
Sodexo
Suncoast Credit Union
United Community
Universal Orlando
Valencia College
VyStar
Wells Fargo
Xpodigital
But this is only the beginning.
More than 70% of public schools in Central Florida are considered high-need, with thousands of students at risk of starting the next school year without supplies. Together, we can change this narrative and equip those who need it most for success.
Join us for our next Ready for Back-to-School initiative – Central Florida’s LARGEST school supply drive – to prepare local students with the supplies and excitement they need to begin the next school year with success!
