Montclair Elementary received a needed financial boost Tuesday when employees from Gulf Power and the Escambia County Schools Foundation presented the school a check for $15,000.

The presentation, made during the monthly Escambia County School Board meeting, was made possible through a combination of fund-raising efforts by employees and company donations totaling $7,500, and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, which matched the donation for a total contribution of $15,000.

Verdell Hawkins, Community Relations manager at Gulf Power, said the partnership with Montclair Elementary is close to employees’ hearts. 

“We salute the teachers and administrators at Montclair for their commitment to the students,” said Hawkins. “Our employees and community partners are proud to stand with them in support of the education they provide the children of Escambia County, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

This is the second year Gulf Power has made a matching donation to the school. As part of the “Partner in Education” program, the school has received the donation earmarked for improving technology and school library resources to enhance STEM curriculum and concepts.

Jennifer Sewell, principal at the Pensacola school, said words could not express how much the donation means to the students, the school and to the STEM program. 

“This is just amazing,” said Sewell. “Gulf Power employees and volunteers have gone above and beyond in helping our school through both financial support and volunteer efforts. They are very humble about it and expect nothing in return. We are proud of the partnership and the great things this donation will mean to our students next year.”

Gulf Power began the partnership with Montclair in 2013 with a goal of helping to improve student outcomes. Montclair has 100 percent participation in its free or reduced-priced lunch program with a student body poverty rate of above 85 percent. Gulf Power employees tutor students in English, math and science, staff school events and help supply the school’s performance-based reward programs.

“I’m going into my fourth year as principal here at Montclair and we are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from Gulf Power,” added Sewell. “From helping in the classroom to working on projects around the school, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Gulf Power partners.”

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Gulf Power is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 436,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.” News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.