STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – More than 700 elementary school students on Staten Island’s North Shore will be starting the new school year with an essential assortment of brand new classroom supplies thanks to the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) “Pack To School” program.

Prior to the beginning of each new school year, donated school supplies are stacked and subsequently placed into backpacks at SIBOR headquarters, Graniteville, in preparation for distribution to a Staten Island elementary school.

Through the annual initiative, now in its 10th year, SIBOR has donated thousands of backpacks stocked with marble notebooks, a ruler, crayons (24-count), washable markers, pocket folders, glue sticks, pencils and a pencil box to Island school children.

“‘Pack To School’ is a behind-the-scenes initiative for Staten Island’s Realtors, who enjoy working together for the benefit of youngsters,” said Georgianna Diaz, president of SIBOR. “This is one of many ways throughout the year that Island Realtors display their sense of community.”

The exact number of students to benefit from this year’s effort remains unknown at this time, according to Linda F. Smith, SIBOR director of membership and coordinator of SIBOR’s Pack to School program.

“It’s still too early to know how many children this year will receive supplies as a result of this program, but our goal is to give away at least 700 backpacks filled with supplies,” Ms. Smith said. “The more, the better, as children are our community’s most precious asset.”

Early in September, Realtor volunteers from across the Island will spend a morning personally distributing supply-filled backpacks to the students.

Anyone who would like to make a donation, or learn more about “Pack To School,” should contact Ms. Smith, at 718-928-3230.

Items may be dropped off at all participating Realtor offices, and SIBOR headquarters at 1535 Richmond Ave., Graniteville. The deadline for donations is Aug. 24.

About The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR)

The Staten Island Board of REALTORS® (SIBOR) is the largest not-for-profit trade association in Staten Island, N.Y.

SIBOR exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically; and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

Comprised of over 1,600 members, SIBOR serves real estate agents, brokers and affiliated professionals throughout the borough and surrounding areas.

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Inc. (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale. Together, its members participate in over 3,000 real estate transactions every year.

All SIBOR members belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

SIBOR may be reached at 718-928-3220 and viewed online at http://siborrealtors.com. SIBOR may also be visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Living,” on Twitter via @SIBOR, and on YouTube at the Staten Island Board of Realtors and RelevantPR channels.

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