Ocean Bank is continuing its 33-year tradition of financial support for educators in Miami-Dade County public schools through The Education Fund, which provides free classroom supplies.
The bank is increasing its annual contribution to the Fund to $125,000 for the next four years, it said in a media release.
The Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials administered by the Fund has given free supplies to teachers more than 52,697 times, the bank said.
“Education is a major focus of our philanthropic efforts, and the Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials has allowed us to have a positive impact on millions of students over more than three decades,” bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alfonso Macedo said in the release.
Charter and public school teachers as well as presidents of PTAs or PTSAs may visit every six months and fill a shopping cart with “new and slightly used” school supplies, books, and surplus office products donated by companies, the Fund’s website says.
Ocean Bank and the Fund both have ties to Miami Lakes. The bank said it is the largest state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Florida. It has a branch at 7455 Miami Lakes Drive, one of 24 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Orange counties.
The Education Fund’s office is on Main Street.
The bank’s example has prompted other companies in the county to contribute to the cause, amounting to $28 million in free supplies, said Linda Lecht, president of The Education Fund.
The bank’s efforts began after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, she said.
Register at shorturl.at/mSgJN to visit the warehouse at 6890 NW 76th St. in Medley.
For information call 786-510-1017 or email jsalazar@educationfund.org.