Friday, February 15, 2019

Coke Florida Donates Laptops To 'I’m A Star' Students


On
February 14, 2019 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (“Coke Florida”) donated 13 laptops to I’m A Star Foundation in honor of Black History Month.  The ceremony took place at Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, 1411 Huron Street at 5 p.m.  A group of nearly 20 I'm A Star Students received the laptops and took a tour of the facility.

Coke Florida’s Chairman and CEO Troy Taylor says they chose I’m A Star Foundation among statewide community partners that “are developing the next generation of great leaders who will ultimately make a difference in the world.”

Executive Director of I'm A Star Foundation Betty Seabrook Burney says the students will use the laptops for research, including for an upcoming project with John Hopkins University.  She says, "We'll be working with the Southeastern United States, putting on a childhood obesity summit."  Up until now, students have used their cell phones to gather information supporting their initiatives to end childhood obesity (Let's Move Jacksonville) and student homelessness (Jacksonville HELPS).

Coke Florida is a family-owned independent Coca-Cola bottler.  The company is also one of America’s largest black-owned businesses.  Coke Florida was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Coke Florida is also pleased to partner with Family Dollar, who shares a similar commitment to community through their work with local Boys & Girls Clubs.  Throughout the month of February, Family Dollar customers can help make a difference by purchasing any 6pk 500ml or 6pk 7.5oz mini-cans of Coca-Cola® products.  Purchases will help local stores qualify to receive new laptops to donate to local Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in their direct communities.

About I’m A Star Foundation: I’m A Star Foundation is a volunteer program that transforms middle and high school students into the next generation of servant leaders.  An acronym for “Smart, Talented And Resilient” students, the Foundation draws kids ages 13-18 from schools across Duval County.  Students meet on weekends to creatively co-work on solutions to problems affecting their peers.  Since its establishment in 2010, the organization has maintained a 100% graduation rate.  Founder and Executive Director Betty Seabrook Burney is a former Duval Co. School Board Chairwoman.  I’m A Star Foundation students have been featured in various press outlets, including Florida Times-Union,
Around Town With Ms. “V”, ABC -7 Chicago and The Huffington Post. For more information, please visit I’m A Star Foundation.

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