The school year is rapidly approaching and that means it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Fortunately, the first and second graders at Edith I. Starke Elementary School, 730 South Parsons Avenue, DeLand are taken care of, thanks to the physicians and staff at Florida Hospital DeLand.

As part of the annual Backpack Drive, Florida Hospital DeLand stuffed nearly 160 backpacks with pencils, crayons, folders, notebooks and other supplies.

“When we began doing this 10 years ago, Edith I. Starke Elementary School was an F school, and now they are an A.,” said Ellen Hillyer, RN, BS, Manager of Employee Health and Education. “Part of our mission is to contribute positively to the quality of life of our neighbors.  It is wonderful to see our mission in action and watching so many employees come together to make this backpack drive a reality and touch the lives of so many kids.”