FPL Helps Power Education with Book Drive And Volunteer Program

Florida Power & Light Company employees visited Leisure City K-8 Center in Homestead, Fla., donating much-needed books and supplies to the school following a two-week-long book and supply drive by FPL. Nearly 150 backpacks filled with books and supplies, worth more than $6,000 total, were provided to the school as well as two other local schools in the community.

“The books and supplies donated by FPL employees will make our teachers and the students energized to come to class and teach and learn,” said Leisure City K-8 Center Principal Dr. Kelli Hunter. “As educators, we are always here to nurture, educate and prepare our learners for entry into a global society, and we are fortunate to have corporate partners such as FPL to pitch in for this worthy cause.”

In addition to delivering the school supplies, 15 employees from FPL’s Turkey Point Nuclear Plant volunteered at the school, reading to kindergarten through second grade students from the donated books. The plant’s crocodile monitoring program expert brought several small reptiles to give the kids and opportunity to get an up-close view, and several engineers gave the upper academy students a lesson in nuclear science.

“A bright education starts early and the future of our state rests on a new generation of leaders,” said Michael Kiley, vice president of Turkey Point Nuclear Plant, who spearheaded the book drive. “We are pleased to give back to our local community in so many different ways, and education is vital – from elementary education through higher education.”

Kiley was referring to FPL’s long-standing commitment to support community and educational programs. The programs include Teacher Grant Programs, a partnership with Adopt-A-Classroom matching donations, Teacher Workshops, and FCAT-based science assembly presentations by education characters Captain Conservation and Professor Whys. The company recently expanded its annual FPL Renewable Energy Teacher Grants program, which offers teachers the opportunity to win $500 or $1,000 awards for educational classroom projects relating to energy. At the college level, FPL partners with Miami-Dade College and Indian River State College to provide bright futures to students through the colleges’ electrical Power Technology Programs, which result in specialized diplomas and full-time jobs with FPL.

“With budgets cuts continuing to impact our schools, companies like Florida Power & Light stepping up to make a difference in our communities to help fill the gap is to be commended,” said Miami-Dade Public School Region 6 Superintendent Valtena Brown. “The children in our area should receive an excellent education and with the help of great teachers and partners we will be sure to provide each child the education they deserve.”


Contact:
Michelle Catin
FPL
Miami, FL
305-448-4536