Regional Spotlight—Prudential Network Realty is asking everyone to take the challenge – the Backpack Challenge.
The Northeast Florida real estate firm is collecting backpacks and school supplies for foster children at all area Prudential Network Realty offices through July 30.
“Imagine having to leave behind everything that is familiar – home, school, friends, even siblings. This is a reality for foster children,” says Christy Budnick, executive vice president of residential real estate, Prudential Network Realty. “Having their own backpack, filled with school supplies, is one way these children can feel a sense of pride of ownership. We want to give hope to these children.”
Last year, Prudential Network Realty team members gathered more than 300 backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies. This year, the company has set a goal of gathering even more for foster children from kindergarten to high school.
Backpacks and supplies may be dropped off at the following Prudential Network Realty office locations:
• Home Office – 4190 Belfort Road, Suite 475, Jacksonville
• Avondale/Ortega – 3627 St. Johns Ave., Jacksonville
• Mandarin/St. Johns – 11567 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville
• San Marco/San Jose – 1983 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville
• Beaches/Arlington – 375-1 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach
• Fleming Island – 3535 Highway 17, Suite 10, Fleming Island
• Ponte Vedra – 1000 Sawgrass Village Drive, Suite 101, Ponte Vedra Beach
• St. Augustine – 112 SeaGrove Main St., Suite 210, St. Augustine Beach
Backpacks should be labeled by gender and grade. The company is collecting backpacks for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Suggested school supply items to fill the backpacks include lined paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil bag or box, rulers, glue sticks, blunt scissors, folders, three-ring binders, one-subject spiral notebooks, colored pencils or markers and construction paper. Additional items that would be appreciated include stuffed animals or toys, baseball caps and socks, tissues, compass/protractor, water colors, white glue, activity/sticker books, journals and index cards. A Backpack Challenge Shopping List is available at Prudential Network Realty office locations and online at www.PrudentialNetworkRealty.com.
“We want to encourage everyone to purchase a backpack and fill it with school supplies for a foster child,” says Prudential Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda H. Sherrer. “Together, we can make a difference.”
For more information, visit www.PrudentialNetworkRealty.com.
