- July 1, 2024
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Ormond Beach's Gianna Capri, 10, who is also Florida International United Miss Jr. Preteen 2024, has partnered with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Volunteer Network to raise funds and collect new school supplies for foster children in the surrounding communities.
This will be Gianna’s third annual backpack Back to School drive benefiting Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health located in DeLand, according to a press release. She first began the initiative in the summer of 2022.
This year, Gianna connected with Sophia Mazzuchelli, an Embry Riddle Aeronautical University student from The Volunteer Network at ERAU, to help with the effort.
“The Volunteer Network continuously strives to support and empower our campus community to make a difference by engaging in causes that positively impact the diversity of the community that surrounds us," Mazzuchelli said in the press release. "The mission of serving those with disabilities as well as supporting the academic achievement of young people is one area that we value and the reason we are supporting Michael's Ohana."
Michael’s ‘Ohana was established in June 2021 after the death of Michael Alberico, a longtime resident of Ormond Beach. Michael’s ‘Ohana raises awareness, funding, and gifts for nonprofit organizations especially those within the Intellectual Developmental Disability and other special needs community.
The Volunteer Network held a tabling event for the backpack drive this past month. They will continue to have a donation box, that will be located in the student leadership suite, for the remainder of the summer. Donations are also accepted at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/DevereuxFlorida/JenniferCapri. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise $2,000 for Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health foster children.
Gianna Capri, is thrilled to be representing the Florida International United Miss system and hopes that young girls can see how one person can make an impact, the press release states.
"Gianna Capri encourages students when she meets with them that we may not all look alike or have the same abilities, but we all can have respect and have empathy for our differences," the press release states. "Every student should go to school excited and have the joy of wearing a new backpack."
