Principal LaKisha Falana from Maximo Elementary was excited to receive the surprise donation.
BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — As the staff at Maximo Elementary was busy preparing for the start of a new school year in five days, the Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association (GPPCA) burst into their staff meeting, stopping the speaker in mid-sentence, to hand over a check for $550.
“We were always thinking about doing something at the beginning the school and this year we did,” said Tom Lally, secretary of GPPCA.
Principal Johnnie Crawford said he would have smiled larger if he had read the dollar amount on the check before taking the photo.
Lally said they thought about a backpack giveaway but someone suggested donating money to an area school instead. They motion passed for $500, but as word spread the group collected $1,100.
GPPCA members decided to split the monies collected between Maximo and Lakewood Elementary. Many of the children who live in the Pinellas Point area attend these two schools.
Lally would like to see other neighborhood associations, residents and business owners donate their time, talent and treasure to struggling schools all over St. Pete.
Since this went over so well, they have decided to continue making donations. Lally said he will be contacting Maximo’s and Lakewood’s community liaisons and find out what other needs they may have.
“I want to get the message out and get more people involved,” he said.
BB&T, Tyrone Frame and Mirror and anonymous residents along with member of GPPCA made the donations possible.
“Thank you so much on behalf of Maximo Elementary and my babies,” said Principal LaKisha Falana of Maximo Elementary.
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