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Volunteers Ready To Huddle Up

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

NORTH TAMPA - Greeted by hundreds of clapping students, about 175 volunteers came ready to work Thursday morning.

The Tampa Bay area's first Huddle Up at Shaw Elementary had about 150 T-Mobile Florida employees and about 25 team members from City Year, a national youth service organization.
Huddle Up is a 3-year-old national program sponsored by T-Mobile, which seeks to improve schools and community centers that serve a high percentage of students from low-income families. The Shaw project was the last of 16 nationwide in 2008.

The volunteers sought to beautify the campus at 11311 N. 15{+t}{+h} St. by painting the interior of the cafeteria, multi-purpose room and music portables. They also plan to construct an outdoor theater with seating for 100 and create a Huddle Up Zone room for family involvement.

Local T-Mobile employees also raised $6,000 for school supplies, and the international company funded the materials for the projects and made a $10,000 surprise donation to the school at the event's closing ceremony.

A 15-member student youth advisory team met previously with leaders for the project and helped identify needs and areas for improvement, said Tracie Napoli, Shaw's Title I liaison.

"They went around for three hours picking out colors. They also wanted mops and vacuums for the custodians," Napoli said. "The only thing they asked for themselves was a Wii."

Hillsborough County School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, school board members and other administrators greeted the volunteers.

"This is so inspiring," Elia told them. "You all are showing that you care."

Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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