Wellington PTA/PTO Wins $150,000 from Great City Challenge
The Wellington Parent Teacher Association/Parent Teacher Organization (PTA/PTO) has been selected as the winner of the FTI Great City Charity Challenge and will receive a $150,000, which will be equally divided between all particpating PTA/PTOs.
World class equestrian sports and Wellington schools are getting acquainted with each other for the benefit of Palm Beach County students! In November 2011, Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, expressed a strong interest in working with Wellington area schools to open the world of equestrian sports to students and their families. As a result of this initiative, many Wellington area schools have been invited to showcase their talents to the thrill of international audiences at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington.
“We are fortunate to have the involvement of the equestrian community and its sponsors to provide us this unique opportunity to raise essential money for all of our schools,” said Mr. Scott Blake, Principal at Polo Park Middle School.
The Wellington PTA/PTO was also paired with a team sponsor and a corporate sponsor. The Team Sponsor was the Spogli Family and Graffito Restaurant (they shared the team sponsor status) and the Corporate Sponsor was ESI footing (they build riding arenas including footing that the horses ride on). These organizations were instrumental as they were a part of raising $30,000 towards the GCC and they also picked the riders.
David Samore, principal of Okeeheelee Middle School, serves as point person in the collaboration between the School District of Palm Beach County and Wellington equestrian community. After two initial meetings in December, the school leaders worked with their teachers, students and parents to organize their student groups to be showcased on the world equestrian stage. Many school groups have performed such as chorus, band, cheerleaders, and dance teams.
During the course of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival, many schools have been showcased at the PBIEC. The schools that have or will be on center stage are Wellington Landings, Okeeheelee, and Emerald Cove Middle Schools, as well as Binks Forest, Wellington, New Horizons, Panther Run, and Elbridge Gale elementary Schools. Participating high schools are Wellington and Palm Beach Central.
The FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments started in 2010, generating over $400,000 for 24 local charities. Today, the event has grown to 32 local charities competing for a combined $1.5 million.
The Wellington PTO/PTA provides support to all schools in the area through numerous programs which serve the school’s pupils, parents, and staff. Some of the activities and events that they support include community events, field trips, in-school enrichment programs, school supplies and much more.
“All the Wellington schools that participated will be coming up with individual plans of how the money will best assist them in reaching their academic goals for their students. It is exciting to be part of such a great charity event,” added Mr. Blake.
For more information contact Dr. David Samore, Principal at Okeeheelee Middle at (561) 434-3260 or via email at david.samore@palmbeachschools.org or Scott Blake, Principal at Polo Park Middle School, at (561) 333-5500 or via e-mail at scott.blake@palmbeachschools.org.
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Public Affairs Contact: Natalia Arenas – (561) 357-7662 – natalia.arenas@palmbeachschools.org
