The post Charity Across South Lake Partners With Local Community Organizations To Spread Joy Throughout The Community appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Michelle Michnoff and Renee Lowe are the co-organizers of the Back-to-School Supply Drive. Office Depot-Clermont, 2559 E. Highway 50, Clermont, purchases the school supplies and backpacks at wholesale cost for the community event.  Michnoff shares, “We are partnering with various nonprofits and businesses to raise money to give backpacks and school supplies to school-age kids in our community”.  

To get these backpacks stuffed, Charity Across South Lake is seeking businesses, families and organizations to sponsor at least one backpack. It is also looking for non-profits and volunteers to pack backpacks. 

Local organizations, volunteers and donors will gather on Sunday, July 26th at Hunts Industrial Park Warehouse, 15348 CR 565A, Groveland, between 4 pm and 7 pm to help fill thousands of backpacks with school supplies for the children across the South Lake community.  

Visit: www.AcrossSouthLake.org for a list of drop-off locations to make a school supply donation or visit the Charity Across South Lake Facebook page. Cash donations can be made at Seacoast Bank under the established Charity Across South Lake Fund. 

Charity Across South Lake has an Amazon Wish Lish for school supplies. Buy on Amazon and take advantage of Amazon Smile.

Below are some of the places where backpacks will be distributed:

• July 27 – 4 Corners Back to School Event from 5 pm – 7 pm at the Community Center.

• July 30 – 9 am to 12 pm:  Lake County Sheriff’s Backpack Program 
• July 30 – 3 pm to 5 pm: Mascotte Police Department Back to School event at Mascotte Charter School
• August 6 – Find Feed Restore Family Movie Night at Grey Middle School

On October 1, Charity Across South Lake will begin preparing its Christmas Across South Lake Santa Shack. Shelving is needed. If you have extra shelving to donate or need further information, contact CASL.

The post Volunteers And Sponsors Are Needed To Help Bring Backpacks To School Age Children Across South Lake appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Charity Across South Lake, a local umbrella organization, has agreements with 20 nonprofit, civic and service groups, along with schools and police departments in Clermont, Minneola, Montverde, Groveland and Mascotte, to work together to produce a single, large-scale holiday drive rather than host individual events. The collaborative initiative began in 2020 when the pandemic made serving families during the holidays more important than ever.

“COVID-19 created a new level of need in our community and it’s still impacting many families here, especially those in disadvantaged neighborhoods,” said local community leader Kalena Meyers, who founded Charity Across South Lake last year.

Program Manager, Renee Lowe states, “We’ve learned that by working together, we can help many more people who might otherwise not have much for the holidays. It’s a good time to be grateful for what we have and to make sure others have something to be grateful for as well.”

Charity Across South Lake is accepting applications for holiday assistance from families now through December 1st at AcrossSouthLake.org. Families who need assistance are encouraged to register online as soon as possible.

There are several ways generous “elves” may get involved:

• Become a sponsor – sponsorship levels, which range from $250 to $5,000, fit every business budget
• Donate a toy – nearly 100 businesses are serving as toy drop-off locations for new, unwrapped toys
• Become a Toy Box Collection Location or Angel Tree Location – the business community is invited to participate as a toy drop-off collection location or Angel Tree Location
• Donate a Winn Dixie grocery gift card – Purchase a Winn Dixie gift card to help support feeding families in need
• Give a cash contribution – a secure, online form makes it easy for individuals and businesses to make a tax-deductible donation
• Volunteer to help – there are so many opportunities to engage, including organizing the warehouse (also known as Santa’s workshop); wrapping toys; assembling bikes; packaging meal boxes; and meeting families for deliveries

The group has made an Amazon wish list available on their website making it easy for donors to order toys right off the list from the comfort of their home. The toys are then delivered to a secure location, sorted by volunteers, packaged, and will be delivered to future distribution events.

To learn more, make a donation, secure a sponsorship, become a toy drop-off location, and volunteer to help, visit AcrossSouthLake.org.

The post Christmas Across South Lake Is Gearing Up To Serve 3,000 Children In Massive Toy Donation Drive In South Lake County appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Charity Across South Lake (CASL) is bringing the Lake County community together to bring complimentary backpacks full of fall school supplies to students later this month. CASL President Michelle Michnoff notes, “Our goal is to give at least 2,500 backpacks, each filled with $100 worth of valuable school supplies to needy children across the South Lake Community. This program will provide assistance to families with the much-needed school supplies including notebooks, paper, crayons, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors and much more. This is a collaborative community project reaching across Clermont, Minneola, Montverde, Groveland and Mascotte.”

The Kiwanis of Clermont and Kiwanis of South Lake Foundation each donated $2,000 to help support this community effort. In a special presentation ceremony, Kalena Meyers, Joan Kyle, Jessica Whitehouse, Chuck Seaver, Thom Battisto, Kassier Kyler-Murry and Mayor Tim Murry shared a check from Kiwanis of Clermont. Regina Cruz-Morales, Ann Whitlock, Renee Lowe and Sandra Vela shared a matching check from South Lake Kiwanis.

Charity Across South Lake is a sponsor of the annual Fall 2021 South Lake Chamber of Commerce (SLCC) Teacher Appreciation Breakfast. Instead of hosting one large event, this year the SLCC will be hosting a virtual event that will reach all 1,800 south Lake teachers. When dropping off the backpacks, CASL will be sharing a $500 check to help pay for the celebratory Teacher Appreciation Breakfast/Lunch to kick off the new school year.

Renee Lowe is the vice president of Charity Across South Lake and the Back-to-School Supply Drive organizer. The Back-to-School Supply Committee is supported with help from CASL President Michelle Michnoff, Seacoast Bank; Clermont Mayor Tim Murry; Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson; Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway; Glenn Holcomb, IT Director; Denise Kalman-Smith, Treasurer; Jessica Whitehouse, Secretary; and CASL Board members Sandra Vela and Kalena Meyers.

Office Depot-Clermont has graciously stepped forward to help purchase the entire set of school supplies and backpacks at wholesale cost. A backpack stuffing party will be held soon to get each backpack ready with an array of valuable school supplies. Every South Lake School will receive at least 100 backpacks when visited by CASL representatives. No family or child needs to apply for a free school supply backpack. Guidance Counselors, Administrators and teachers will help each school identify the families and children needing the most help.

Charity Across South Lake is always looking for businesses, families and organizations to help sponsor a series of backpacks. They are hoping that more people will sponsor at least one backpack with a $20 donation. Cash donations can be made at Seacoast Bank and Texas Roadhouse under the newly established Charity Across South Lake Fund. Donations can also be made via Fabulous Flockers at: https://www.facebook.com/FabulousFlockersClermont.

Renee Lowe was recently honored as Citizen of the Year. Police Chief Charles Broadway honored Renee Lowe as Clermont Police Department Citizen of the Year at a recent Clermont City Council Meeting. Lowe co-founded a holiday program called Christmas Around South Lake. Because of her selfless volunteer efforts and a true commitment to helping others, many needy South Lake area families and children receive Christmas gifts. She helped establish the We are Listening Campaign to focus on suicide prevention and sharing kindness and resources with those in emotional crisis. She has been instrumental in raising funds for the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation. Besides being an active member of Kiwanis of South Lake, she recently received the Hometown Hero Award for her contributions to the community which was presented by the United Way of Lake and Sumter County.

Her husband Lloyd notes, “Our family is so proud of Renee and the Charity Across South Lake team of volunteers. What makes this work so special to me is the fact that they have been able to coordinate so many local businesses and individuals to work together and achieve these amazing results!” Dr. Roe adds, “Through the hard work and dedication of Renee Lowe, the citizen of the year, Roe Family Chiropractic is honored to support and participate with the Charity Across South Lake to give back to our wonderful community.”

Information on donating, sponsoring, and locations to drop off school supplies can be found by visiting www.AcrossSouthLake.org.

You can download the QR Code to make it simple to participate and make your donation.

Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CharityAcrossSouthLake.

The post Charity Across South Lake Is Making A Positive Impact In The Community appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Charity Across South Lake is now actively working to bring our entire community together to share complimentary backpacks full of school supplies for next fall. Their first goal was to help 1000 children. Their new goal is to award at least 2500 backpacks, each filled with $100 worth of valuable school supplies for needy families and children across South Lake County. From notebooks, paper, crayons, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors and much more, this generous program will support families across Clermont, Minneola, Montverde, Groveland and Mascotte across South Lake with this first annual collaborative community project. Every South Lake School will receive at least 100 backpacks.

Sponsors & Donations Needed: Charity Across South Lake is looking for businesses, families and organizations to help sponsor a series of backpacks that will be worth at least $50,000. A mere $20 donation will help purchase the discounted wholesale cost of a single backpack. They are hopeful everyone will soon step forward to sponsor at least one backpack. Visit: www.AcrossSouthLake.org for a list of drop-off locations to make a school supply donation. Cash donations can be made at Seacoast Bank under the newly established Charity Across South Lake Fund.First Participating Sponsors and Organizations! Some worthy businesses and organizations have already stepped forward to sponsor larger donations of at least 100 to 300+ backpacks each. The local Clermont & South Lake Kiwanis Clubs; Clermont, Groveland & Mascotte Police Departments; Clermont Christian Men in Action, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce; The South Lake Republican Club; South Lake & Clermont Moose Lodges; South Lake Elks; South Lake Junior Women’s Club; Clermont Compassion; The Fraternal of Eagles; Read to Sydney; South Lake Business Leaders; Texas Roadhouse; Home Depot; Chick-fil-a; various South Lake Non-Profit Think Tank members and Buffalo Wild Wings have all jumped on board to support this important new project. With help from $200 to $2000 sponsors, more help is still needed!

Urgent Timing Needed! Clermont Office Depot has graciously stepped forward to help purchase the entire set of school supplies and backpacks at wholesale cost, with orders which need to be made ASAP and no later than mid-May. Clermont Office Depot Operations Manager Paul Miller noted, “We are very proud to support this project to do our part to help needy families and children. We always do our best to make donations to South Lake County Schools as well as to always offer teacher discounts!”

Charity Across South Lake Team: Led by Renee Lowe as the Back-to-School Supply Drive organizer from Kiwanis, she has plenty of volunteer help. The Back-to-School Supply Committee is supported with help from Michelle Michnoff as President from Seacoast Bank, Clermont Mayor Tim Murry, Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson, Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway, Glenn Holcomb as IT Director, Denise Kalman-Smith as Treasurer, Jessica Whitehouse as Secretary and more. With more than 25 years of work by charitably helping our community, Renee is the Vice-President of the committee with the fortunate flexibility from her day job with Roe Family Chiropractic and Wellness.

Charity Across South Lake got started last year with the endless challenges from COVID-19 for needy families. While working with the sponsorships of the Clermont Christian Men in Action and the Clermont Police Department, they also worked with other organizations to participate in their 14^th Annual Christmas Eve Party last December to give out plenty of toys to less fortunate children. While the annual December Battle of Badges charity basketball game fundraiser got postponed in 2020 due to COVID, they hope to bring it back this coming year. Plans are already in the works for their 15^th annual Christmas Toy Party give-away.

 For Donations, Sponsorships & More Information: No family or child needs to apply for a free school supply back pack. Schools are defining their lists, knowing which families and children need the most help. Don’t wait! Visit their website at: www.AcrossSouthLake.org to see all the benefits available to sponsors and families. You will be able to download the QR Code that makes it simple to participate as well as to make your donation pledge. Visit and Like them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CharityAcrossSouthLake.

The post Charity Across South Lake 2021 Back Pack School Project! appeared first on South Lake Tablet.