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Helios Education Foundation donates $200,000 to the Florida College System Foundation to assist students impacted by Hurricane Ian

Tallahassee, Fla., November 14, 2022 — Today, the Helios Education Foundation awarded the Florida College System Foundation $200,000 to assist state college students impacted by Hurricane Ian. The generous donation will provide needed support for students attending Southwestern State College, South Florida State College, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Daytona State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College. The funds are available for currently enrolled students to use for instructional materials, housing, transportation, childcare, utilities and other urgent needs.

“The Florida College System appreciates our partners at the Helios Education Foundation who continue to invest in Florida's future workforce,” said Florida College System Foundation’s Chair Teresa Borcheck. “Their financial support to our students who were impacted by the storm will give them the encouragement needed to stay on their higher education pathway.”

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Ian compounded the numerous challenges students face,” said Helios Education Foundation Chairman Vince Roig. “Our support of the Florida College System Foundation will help address students’ immediate needs so they can remain focused on degree completion.”

“The generosity of the Helios Education Foundation is matched only by their timely ability to be there when resources are needed for student success,” said Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda. “This extraordinary donation and the support shown by colleges across the state for their fellow sister institutions show our students that we all care about them personally and are invested in their goals for their education and their future.”

“The generosity from Helios Education Foundation offers hope to our faculty, staff and students, and provides FSW State College the resources to help minimize, as best we can, disruption to student learning by providing extraordinary resources to surround them with support,” said

Florida SouthWestern State College President Dr. Jeffery Allbritten.

“Hurricane Ian devastated the region served by South Florida State College and drastically impacted the lives of our students and their families. Their personal losses are overwhelmingly tragic. The College is enormously grateful that the Florida College System Foundation and the Helios Foundation have provided financial support that will directly assist our students in their recovery efforts,” said South Florida State College President Dr. Thomas Leitzel.

The Helios Education Foundation supports postsecondary attainment for low-income and under-served communities in Florida and Arizona and has invested nearly $300 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving education outcomes. The Florida College System Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official direct support organization for the Florida College System.

 

For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.