The Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation hosted the 36th annual William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education earlier this summer, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds attended the 2020 ceremony virtually, via a live webinar.
Because the event was virtual, rather than in person, the Dwyer Awards had a surplus of funds. The 2020 Dwyer Awards committee, sponsors and staff of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation decided to use these funds for the good of the students in Palm Beach County.
The surplus of money will be used to pay off the nearly $26,000 of outstanding school lunch debt. “Thanks to all of our generous supporters and sponsors, our virtual event left us with additional funds,” said Michele Jacobs, president and CEO of Economic Council of Palm Beach County. “When we learned that we had the opportunity to help approximately 9,700 students in Palm Beach County start the next school year debt free within the food service, we didn’t hesitate!”
The Dwyer Awards, an annual program developed in 1984 and supported by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, honors outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County, increases awareness of exemplary teaching, supports educators with financial awards and encourages all residents to promote high standards for excellence in education. Teachers are nominated by each school, and finalists and winners are selected by panels of volunteer judges. The Economic Council of Palm Beach County is comprised of business leaders who are committed to educational excellence as a key tenet for creating an environment for business to prosper. Learn more at www.economiccouncilpbc.org.
