'I'm a Star Foundation' continues fundraiser for homeless students

Public and private donations continue to come in as teens in the “I'm A Star Foundation” raised money through their 3rd biennial Jacksonville HELPS (Homeless Students Empowered through Leadership, Partnership & Service) initiative.  “I'm A Star Foundation” held a Celebrity Basketball Game, on July 17 from 7 to 8 p.m., to drum up unrestricted funds for the Duval County Homeless Education Department HELPS (Homeless Students Empowered through Leadership, Partnership & Service).  "I'm A Star Foundation" founder Mrs. Betty Burney says an estimated 400 people attended the event, in which high school all-stars beat local celebrities 61-54 and brought in $2,000 to the foundation, with more donations expected to come.

“I'm A Star” students continue to ask the community to “I'm A Star Foundation's Go Fund Me Campaign Page” in order to raise $50,000 for the 2700 homeless students in Duval County.  The money will go towards items such as eye glasses, books, toiletry items, bus passes, doctor's fees, hotel vouchers, rental deposits, college application fees and more. (See the full wish list HERE).

There are currently 2700 homeless students in Duval County, and teens in the “I’m A Star Foundation” hosts fundraisers to help them.  Since 2013, the Foundation has raised $57,000 via live telethons, a 5K and two celebrity basketball games— donating all funds to the Duval County Public Schools’ Homeless Education Department and awarding 14 scholarships to homeless students entering college.

About I’m A Star Foundation: Established in 2010, I'm A Star Foundation is a non-profit organization comprised of students (ages 12-18) who develop solutions to improve their communities.  An acronym for “Smart, Talented And Resilient” students, the Foundation draws 35 volunteer student-servant-leaders from middle and high schools across Duval County each year.

Founder and Executive Director Betty Seabrook Burney is a former Duval Co. School Board Chairwoman who achieved the distinction of having all chronically low-performing schools exit the state of Florida’s intervene list by the end of her term.