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Jabil Buys Gifts for 480 Pupils at Lealman Avenue Elementary

Jabil | Christmas | Lealman Avenue Elementary

Jabil is the school’s corporate partner.

LEALMAN – The pupils at Lealman Avenue Elementary quietly settled into the school’s auditorium Thursday (Dec. 17) morning knowing that something exciting was about to happen.

They had noticed employees from St. Petersburg manufacturing company Jabil wearing green shirts and Christmas hats. One wore a pair of elf ears. Once the children were seated, the school’s principal pulled open the stage curtains to reveal a stage full of wrapped presents and Santa sitting in a rocking chair.

Jabil, Lealman’s corporate partner, made the day possible by buying a gift for every one of the 480 students at Lealman Elementary. Jabil employees, as part of its JabilCares program, wrapped the gifts, which were handed out by Santa.

“With some of our students, this might be the only Christmas celebration they have,” said Bonita Paquette, the school’s principal who expressed her gratitude to Jabil for its kindness and commitment to the school.

Andrea Watkins, Lealman’s community liaison, said it can be difficult to get strong corporate partnerships for the school because it’s located in one of the poorest areas of Pinellas County. Lealman, an unincorporated community, lies generally between Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg on the north and south and I-275 and Park Street on the east and west. Kenneth City sits in the middle of the area.

“This is very valuable,” Watkins, said. “For the company, which is located in St. Petersburg, to have this level of care and service for our students is invaluable.”

This is not the first time Jabil has helped the school’s pupils. At the beginning of the school year, Jabil also supplied backpacks and school supplies for students. Located in St. Petersburg, Jabil focuses on helping customers with global manufacturing and design services.

For information, go to pcsb.org.

Photo of Santa handing a Lealman pupil a gift is courtesy of the Pinellas County School Board.

Lealman | Lealman Avenue Elementary | Jabil | JabilCares | Pinellas Schools | Santa | TB Reporter

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