Freeport School Board

Freeport Public Schools accepts donations of 900 bookbags and $2,000

Donations are courtesy of State Senator Siela Bynoe and three community organizations

Posted Friday, September 4, 2026 6:10 am

Four donations from local organizations and a state politician will provide the Freeport school district with additional resources to support its students.

Herald file

Donations to Freeport Public Schools

•200 bookbags from the Jewish Community Center

•200 bookbags from State Senator Siela Bynoe

•500 bookbags from the JRM Foundation

•$2,000 from Freeport Pride

By Andrew Francis

Ahead of the start of the 2026-2027 school year for Freeport Public Schools this week, the school district accepted four donations that will provide additional resources for students in need of bookbags, as well as bullying prevention.

On Aug. 26, during a district school board meeting at the Caroline G. Atkinson Elementary School in Freeport, the board’s trustees announced that the district was accepting offered donations from the Jewish Community Center, State Senator Siela Bynoe, Freeport Pride and the JRM Foundation.

The Jewish Community Center, a network of centers that provide adult and children wellness and education programs for its members, donated 200 bookbags to the district. Bynoe donated the same quantity.

The JRM Foundation, a nonprofit named after the Jamshaid, Rahim and Mannan families, donated 500 bookbags to the district as a part of their continual community philanthropy efforts.

Freeport Pride, a community nonprofit that promotes inclusivity, advocacy for LGBTQ issues and anti-bullying, donated $2,000 to the district. The funds are to be used explicitly for Freeport High School’s Gay Straight Alliance club and anti-bullying initiatives at the school. The donation was first announced by the organization during Freeport Pride’s Harbor Social on May 30.

During the aforementioned meeting, district Superintendent Fia Davis and the school board trustees thanked the three organizations and Bynoe for their charitable efforts and support of the school district.

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