School Fire Brings Community, Commissioners Together

News Report

When Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham heard about the fire at Frost Elementary this past weekend, his office reached out to the school, the local chamber of commerce, the media, community leaders and his colleague, Commissioner Lesley “Les” Miller Jr., to find assistance for the school.

The Mosaic Co. responded with a $5,000 donation to Frost Elementary to replace the supplies and classroom items lost in the accidental fire. Two kindergarten teachers, Jamy Dailey and Holly Cover, lost almost everything in their classrooms. The School District of Hillsborough County has insurance to replace school inventory, but nothing the teachers had prepared for the fall school year will be covered. Additionally, Mosaic employees host an annual Back to School supply drive and will donate this year’s contributions to Frost Elementary.

“When the fire came to our attention, I knew our community would want to help these teachers and students in need,” said Higginbotham. “Mosaic has been a long-standing community partner in Hillsborough County and we are proud to have this compassionate organization call us home.”

Higginbotham reached out to Commissioner Miller because Frost Elementary is located in District 3, but the boundaries for Frost Elementary extend into Commission District 4. With school just three weeks away, the immediacy of the need was clear.

"The generosity shown by Mosaic to Frost Elementary is indicative of their commitment to the community and to ensuring that children are afforded the essential tools for a sound education," said Miller. 

The Mosaic Co. Foundation’s giving priorities include food and water, the environment and education. Its long history of community leadership and corporate giving culminated in its recent award as the Philanthropic Corporation of the Year from the Association of Fundraising Professionals- Florida Suncoast Chapter.

“The recent fire at Frost Elementary has created an urgent situation as Hillsborough County and the community work together to ensure the school can be ready for students on the first day. Mosaic recognizes the urgency and need created by this unfortunate event, and we are pleased to provide a donation to Frost to ease their recovery and replenish supplies for the coming year,” said Bo Davis, senior vice president, Mosaic Phosphate Operations. 

In addition to the $5,000 gift from Mosaic, the teachers also will receive $500 of free school supplies from the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Teaching Tools Supply Store.

“With the new school year just around the corner, we know how important it is for teachers to have their classrooms ready for their new students and we are pleased to replenish their lost supplies,” said Phil Jones, Hillsborough Education Foundation president.

The Teaching Tools Supply Store gives essential school supplies to the neediest schools in Hillsborough County, serving more than 50,000 students and 1,800 teachers last year. Since its inception in 2002, Teaching Tools has distributed $11.6 million in learning and literacy tools to Hillsborough County schools.

More information is available on:

·       Frost Elementary

·       Hillsborough Education Foundation

·       Mosaic Co.