For immediate release: June 21, 2017
VIERA, FL – Nikhita Shree Kumar, a second grader in Brevard County decided she wants to make the world a better place by turning her birthday into a gift for other children. Now, she’s challenging the community to do the same by donating to Brevard Schools Foundation’s Supply Zone for Teachers. When asked why she wanted to do this, Nikhita shared a story she had heard about a little girl and her three siblings who were staying at multiple houses due to the loss of her mother and father. She had lost her backpack at one of the houses and could not remember which home she left it at. Her primary caregiver was going through cancer treatment and could not afford to buy her a replacement.
“I realized how fortunate I am and I wanted to help.” So, this year, in lieu of birthday gifts, Nikhita asked her parents, Dr. Sadesh and Jayshree Kumar, if she could use that money to help other children get backpacks and schools supplies.
After finding out that more than one out of two children in Brevard Public Schools come from a low-income household and many of them need extra help to have the supplies they need to be successful in school, the idea of a challenge was born.
Nikhita’s Challenge was launched with a $1,000 gift to the Foundation’s Supply Zone, which helps put school supplies directly into the hands of those who need them most. Nikhita hopes that $1,000 will grow even higher. “We’re so impressed by the generosity and compassion of this little girl towards children who are less fortunate” said Janice Kershaw, President of Brevard Schools Foundation, “At age seven, she’s already learning how good it feels to give from the heart.”
Funds raised through the Challenge will help purchase supplies for nearly 2,000 children expected to receive a backpack filled with essential classroom materials at the Foundation’s annual Back to School Giveaway Event in late July, where Nikhita plans to volunteer.
For more information on how you can support Nikhita’s Challenge, please visit www.brevardschoolsfoundation.org or find us on twitter or facebook using #NikhitasChallenge
Watch Nikhita’s Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GzdFBo8NIY&feature=youtu.be
Media Contact: Katherine Allen at 321-633-1000, ext. 474 allen.katherine@brevardschools.org