SEBASTIAN — Team members at Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital collected 3,558 school supply items during a July drive to help local students prepare for the new school year.
The collection ran July 6-16 and supported the Sebastian Police Department’s annual school supply giveaway for K-8 students and families in the Sebastian area. Items included notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers and other classroom essentials.
“Our team members are passionate about making a difference in the community we serve,” said Valerie Rignola, human resources business partner at the hospital. “What makes me most proud is seeing our team come together to support local children. Their generosity reflects the compassion they bring to work every day and the genuine care they have for helping make Sebastian a stronger, healthier place to live.”
Hospital staff also sorted, organized, and delivered the supplies alongside police department personnel.
“On behalf of the Sebastian Police Department, we are grateful to the Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital team members for their generosity and commitment to our community,” Interim Police Chief Timothy Wood said. “This donation will help local students start the school year with the school supplies they need to succeed, allowing them to focus on learning. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of organizations working together to invest in our children.”
The school supply drive is one of several community efforts by hospital staff this year. Team members packed more than 500 food kits for National Veterans Homeless Support, collected pet supplies for H.A.L.O. No Kill Pet Rescue, wrote birthday cards for seniors through the Senior Resource Association Foundation, and supported Meals on Wheels, the Riverside Theatre children’s program, the Environmental Learning Center, the Sebastian Exchange Club, the Treasure Coast Police K9 Alliance and the Mental Health Association’s walk-in counseling program.
“The partnerships we build throughout the community allow us to make an even greater impact,” hospital President Dan Bowen said. “When organizations come together around a shared purpose, we can help address local needs, uplift families and create lasting positive change for the people we serve.”