“Is this real?” the student asked. “I get to keep this book and bring it home?” The teacher answered, “Yes, this is real – and that is your book to keep.” Smiling from ear to ear, the young boy hugged his book as the teacher led him and his classmates back to class.

This was a repeated conversation during a special visit United Way and GEICO made to PB Young, Sr. Elementary one January morning. PB Young is one of several local schools helped by United Way’s United for Children initiative. United for Children brings together Hampton Roads community partners to provide resources and opportunities for children and families in need.

Local GEICO & United Way employees, United for Children volunteers, and the popular GEICO gecko helped present the books. United Way used a $5,000 donation from GEICO to purchase the books, which will help the Pre-K to 2nd-Graders with their STEM studies (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

“Books can be an extraordinary gift for a child,” says GEICO special investigator Shirley Criswell. “Books offer children important life lessons and have the ability to expose children to people, places, and skills that they might not otherwise experience.” United Way President and CEO Carol McCormack add, “United Way is proud to have bridged a collaborative relationship between GEICO and Norfolk Public Schools.”

“Without United for Children, we would not have wonderful partners like GEICO. They have been deeply involved with United for Children and PB Young for quite some time,” says PB Young Principal Dr. Dwana White.

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