WHEN: Friday, 5/29 from 9:00AM-12:00PM

WHERE: School bus-based distribution at James McHenry Elementary/Middle School

31 S Schroeder Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

WHAT: Students from four Baltimore schools will receive books and education materials the week of May 26-29 to keep them engaged in learning all summer long. In collaboration with Under Armour and Baltimore City Public Schools, national nonprofit Heart of America has engaged volunteers to pack nearly 1,100 Education Packs filled with books, school supplies, art supplies, and STEM kits for students at Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy, James McHenry EMS, Westport Academy, and Harlem Park EMS. Each of these school sites are prior facility makeover recipients in partnership with UA and HOA.

As school closures began in March and continue through the summer, books and school supplies provide students with invaluable supplies to learn and grow. A 2007 study published in an article by the American Youth Policy Forum and lead by Johns Hopkins on the Baltimore City school system finds that “summer learning loss contributes to two-thirds of the achievement gap between 9th graders from higher and lower socioeconomic backgrounds.” An extended six-month closure is sure to magnify this learning gap. Take-home resources help make distance learning easier and provide vital resources to students who might not have access to these at home.

“We are grateful to our partners at Under Armour and Heart of America for their continued support for City Schools students” said City Schools Chief of Staff Alison Perkins-Cohen. “With schools and libraries closed it’s more important than ever to provide students with access to book and educational materials at home.” Community School Coordinator at Sandtown Winchester Achievement Academy Nora Salamone said “the education packs include unique items for each grade level that will really appeal to our students. For example, each pack includes a STEM activity that’s super engaging. The materials provide a welcome opportunity to get students off screens and focused on hands-on learning.”

For the past 23 years, Heart of America has paired corporations dedicated to improving their local communities with partners who need resources for at-risk students. Since COVID-19 shuttered schools in mid-March, HOA has distributed more than 8,000 Educational Packs to students across the country. The organization is on track to deliver more than 20,000 packs nationwide before schools reopen this fall.

The event is part of Under Armour’s ongoing commitment to the Baltimore community. To learn about Under Armour’s philanthropic efforts, visit the brand’s www.wewill.city platform.

WHO: Representative, Baltimore City Public Schools

Stacey Ullrich, Corporate Social Responsibility, Under Armour

Jill Heath, President and CEO, Heart of America