Share Your Story

This month, we wish to highlight a very special story from Andrea Johnson, a community manager for FirstService Residential in Bethesda, Maryland.

“Each year for the past five (5) years I go back to Jamaica where I am from to host an annual back to school drive under the name “York Town Community Youth And Development – No Child Left Behind”. The drive focused on donating 500 backpacks stuffed with composition books, pencils, pens, crayons, coloring books, glue, rulers, pencil cases, sharpeners, binders, and binders for 500 kids from seven communities. Nearly $3,000 in donations were received this year.

In addition to the backpacks and supplies, I’ve had four doctors on board to provide medical examinations to the students as required by the schools. This saves each parent a total of US$20 to US$100 per child.

This year, Dr. Dixon and I are almost at the finish line in getting a 14-year male student fitted for his hearing aid. Something we have been trying to get done for 5 years.

On the day of the drive, we start at 8am. Breakfast, snacks and lunch are served to the children, parents, security staff and volunteers.

90% of the costs associated with this drive are funded by me. My goal is to be registered as a 501(c)(3); however, the cost to complete the process has put a pause on the effort.”

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We are inspired by Andrea’s commitment to her community back home in Jamaica.

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