( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) As Florida Enters Phase 3 of Reopening, Palm Beach County Offers In-Person Learning
ENSPIRE Contributor: Adam Cetorelli
On July 31, 2020, TBC Corporation donated 100 laptops each to two Pahokee, FL, charter schools, Everglades Preparatory Academy and Glades Academy Charter School, in an effort to help students without computers succeed while learning remotely. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, TBC Corporation procured the laptops in partnership with Direct Technology Group, a Fort Lauderdale IT Support company. While companies across the US are struggling to stay afloat during a pandemic that has left many unemployed and with less disposable income, TBC is committed to helping the communities whose business has supported its tire retailers and service centers through the years.
With the COVID-19 pandemic making in-person learning unsafe for students, teachers, and school staff, many US school districts had decided this summer to begin the Fall 2020 semester fully remote. The School District of Palm Beach County, FL, like many across the country, has now decided to reopen brick-and-mortar schools for in-person learning, although families will be allowed to keep their kids remote if they wish. On September 25, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) ushered the Sunshine State into Phase 3 on the same day that the Floridian COVID-19 death toll reached 14,000. While the human cost of the government mismanagement of the pandemic continues to rise, DeSantis and others around the country cite economic concerns as justification for flouting safety guidelines.
Both Everglades Preparatory Academy and Glades Academy Charter School are now offering in-person learning in addition to remote learning. According to the School District of Palm Beach County, students will continue to use the laptops distributed by their schools both at home and in the classroom.
While state governments continue to prioritize economic recovery over safety, community organizations and some businesses are working to aid those who are doing essential labor, receiving inadequate unemployment, or are otherwise negatively affected by the pandemic. In addition to the computer donations, TBC Corporation has been an active participant in South Florida’s response to the pandemic. Here’s what else the company has been up to:
- Since March, Tire Kingdom and NTB Tire and Service Centers (owned by TBC) created the Essential Business Appreciation Offer, giving 20% off service, 10% off tires, and other discounts to essential workers.
- In May, TBC fed the West Palm Beach Police Department with $250 worth of sub sandwiches from Jimmy John’s.
- Working with the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST), Tire Kingdom donated and installed four new tires to the Neal family, whose great-nephew Moses Holness, 19, requires regular chemotherapy for his Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital.
- Between September and August, Tire Kingdom treated hospital employees at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, and Broward Health Medical Center to snow cones from Kona Ice. The company also gave out snow cones at Quantum House, brightening the days of the youth patients housed there, their families, and staff.
- In August, TBC set up the Student ACES Center’s computer lab as part of an ongoing partnership with the organization.
- With its Aligned in Hope partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), TBC gave a financial gift to the organization and continues to offer discounts for families helped by RMHC and promote volunteer opportunities at RMHC for TBC employees.
What’s next for TBC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility? While future plans have not been released, the company’s mission to “leave everything better” and formalized CSR program, Driven to Give, promise a lot more to come.
