Desks Awarded to Local Students

Some promising students received early holiday gifts Friday from Desks for Success, which aims to help students in need.

The nonprofit, founded by a University of Florida student from Sarasota, gives worthy students desks to help them get their work done at home. The awards are based on teacher recommendations and a student's need.

"Whenever you use your desk, think about all the people who stand behind it. These are the people who stand behind you," is a statement in the award letter given to recipients at a special ceremony last week.

Three McIntosh Middle School students — two seventh-graders and one sixth-grader — received home desks in the latest round of desks awarded.

Desks for Success founder Grier Ferguson and school staff members also presented desks to seven fifth-grade students from Alta Vista and Fruitville elementary schools.

The ceremony was held on the last day of school before students’ two-week holiday break. Organizers said they wanted to emphasize that the desk is a gift from community members, teachers and administrators. The families of the students were invited to attend the event.

 The desks were purchased with a grant awarded to Desks for Success in spring 2011. The funding is from Ashoka’s Youth Venture, an organization that helps young people start social projects.

In addition to Ashoka’s Youth Venture, Desks for Success also received funding from the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and individual donors — many contributing through the website of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Gulf Coast Gives website.

Desks for Success was founded in 2010 by Ferguson, a graduate of Fruitville, McIntosh and Sarasota High. The first home desk was awarded to a McIntosh student in August 2010. Later that year, three more students received desks.

Students are chosen to receive Desks for Success based on recommendations from teachers, administrators and guidance counselors at each school, who identify students who will benefit from receiving a home desk.

The decisions are made carefully and the process is confidential until the recipients are chosen. Whenever possible, students in service organizations join school staff in assembling the desks.

For more information

If you'd like to donate to Desks for Success, go to the charity's website: www.desksforsuccess.org or visit the Facebook page. The agency's phone number is 941-726-7026; send an email to desksforsuccess@verizon.net.

Through mid-January, a donation may also be made to Desks for Success via the Gulf Coast Gives website at www.gulfcoastgives.org/projects/515. A $60 donation underwrites the cost of one home desk but cash donations of any amount are welcome. 

Text of award letter given to each student

"Congratulations! Today you are the proud owner of your very own desk.

"This is a big day. It is the beginning of having your own space to do homework, work on projects and study for tests. It is a place designed to help you be the best student you can be.

"The desk you received is a desk that belongs just to you. But it is not simply a piece of furniture. We want this desk to be a motivator for your future success, both inside and outside of the classroom. We hope it provides a sense of pride and responsibility.

"Many people had a part in getting this desk to you. There were people who donated money to purchase your desk, students who helped assemble your desk, teachers and administrators who nominated you to receive it and many others along the way.

"All of these people care about you. They have all, either physically or in spirit, laid their hands on this desk in dedication to you and to your success.

"Whenever you use your desk, think about all the people who stand behind it. These are the people who stand behind you.

"We hope this desk will serve you well for many years to come, in middle school, high school and maybe even beyond. But more importantly, we hope that the thoughts and wishes this desk represents will stay with you forever.

"Sincerely, The Desks for Success Team"