A M King held its 6th Annual “Fill the Truck” event benefitting Starmount Academy of Excellence on Thurs, Aug. 24.
For six years, Charlotte-based Design-Build firm A M King has supported Starmount, a Pre-K through fifth grade Title 1 public school where the majority of the school’s 443 students are economically disadvantaged and receive free and reduced lunch. Each year, our “Fill the Truck” project provides both essential supplies and uniforms to each student at the school’s Open House. Supplies are selected based on current needs and have included everything from crayons and composition notebooks to highlighters and headphones.
“This is a major event that we look forward to participating in every year,” said A M King Vice President Dan Crist. “A lot of our employees have children in K-5 schools, so we understand the value of education and how important it is to be prepared. It means a lot to be able to contribute to the community and see the impact we can have on the children and their parents.”
A M King volunteers hoped to ease the burden this year and make Back-to-School a positive experience, something for parents and students to happily anticipate. The donations eliminate the financial burden of student families or teachers having to buy school supplies, and they also ensure equitable resources for all students at Starmount. This year, we donated one blue collared shirt and one navy Starmount T-shirt — emblazoned with the owl mascot — for every child, a change designed to boost school spirit.
“We LOVED having A M King here at the open house. You could feel the positive energy and excitement as the volunteers interacted with families that are so thankful for the supplies and uniforms!” says Kylene Collins, Starmount Academy principal. “It felt like Christmas around here!”
Our volunteers distributed not only shirts and supplies at the Open House, but a little end-of-summer cheer with free Hawaiian-style shaved Kona Ice for every student and their siblings. A M King VP Dan Crist was available for interviews and reporters saw firsthand how our company is making a difference for student families at Starmount.
Two years ago, our call to action related to the development of two labs that aim to guide students toward fundamentals of sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. A M King volunteers provided select materials for and assisted with construction of components for a MakerLab and a NatureLab program. Starmount Academy asked for our assistance with these focus areas, in part, in hopes of attracting a high level of parental involvement– which is key to student success.
“We are BEYOND grateful for our partnership with A M King!” says Starmount Academy Principal Collins. “They’ve given us supplies and uniforms and created unforgettable experiences for our students through tending our gardens and cultivating their creativity in Makerspace. Because of A M King, our students have been given opportunities to expand their learning and thinking, and they have been equipped with the resources to do so.”
“Supporting children and families in need, and promoting education, has always been the focus of our community efforts,” explains A M King Founder and President Brian King. “This is evidenced by our continued support of the Salvation Army Christmas Angels, the Ronald McDonald House and other charitable causes. ‘Fill the Truck’ at Starmount is a continuation of these efforts, serving both the children and the education needs in our communities.”
