The Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation expands its commitment to students in Eatonville by opening Hawk Haven Preschool at Hungerford Elementary School

The nonprofit foundation complements its existing scholarship program for high school graduates with a free preschool in Eatonville and supports students throughout their education

ORLANDO, Fla., September 24, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation, founded by Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), the world's leading membership and leisure travel company, has expanded its commitment to the city of Eatonville, Florida by funding the new Hawk Haven Preschool – a free preschool program offered through Orange County Public Schools and operated out of Hungerford Elementary School (home of the Hawks). The addition of this preschool program complements the Foundation's existing Eatonville Scholarship Program for qualified high school graduates in Eatonville and supports student success at every stage of life.

Offered by Orange County Public Schools with funding from the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation, Hawk Haven Preschool provides the Eatonville community with an additional reliable, high-quality child care option. Hawk Haven offers two classrooms, one for two-year-olds and one for three-year-olds, and focuses on academic (preparation for kindergarten), social (community building), emotional (independence and mindfulness), and nutritional (healthy eating) development at no cost to the community.

Inspired by the work of philanthropist Harris Rosen and his dedication to diverse local communities, the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting students in Eatonville through a two-pronged approach that helps create a seamless path to success from birth to career readiness and beyond. The Foundation first began this work in 2021, establishing the Eatonville Scholarship Program to provide qualified high school seniors the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial burden. The creation of Hawk Haven Preschool rounds out this commitment and promotes academic success for the community's youngest students.

“It has been a privilege to build relationships within the Eatonville community and help 26 local students – and counting – achieve their dreams of higher education without financial hurdles,” said Kimberly Marshall, Chair of the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation. “We are excited to expand our support in this community through the creation of Hawk Haven Preschool, which provides free early childhood education that can serve as a foundation for a rewarding and successful school career from preschool through high school and beyond.”

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Hawk Haven Preschool opened its doors to the first class of three-year-olds on August 28, with the two-year-old room set to open in the coming weeks. The Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation and Orange County Public Schools held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new preschool on Tuesday, September 24.

“Students from low-income communities typically lag behind their more affluent peers academically, and experts say that's because they often don't attend high-quality preschool or other early learning activities,” said Letecia Harris, principal of Hungerford Elementary School. “Our vision for Hawk Haven Preschool is to provide a community-based early learning center with no economic barriers where every child can succeed. We are grateful to the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation for their commitment to developing programs that help students in the Eatonville community succeed.”

For more information about Hawk Haven Preschool or to place a child on the waiting list, call (407) 623-1430 or visit www.hungerfordes.ocps.net.

The Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation fosters a diverse and inclusive community through a range of programs including leadership training, mentoring opportunities and educational support.

About Travel + Leisure Co.

Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) is the world's leading membership and leisure travel company, providing travelers with more than six million vacations each year. The company operates a portfolio of vacation resorts, travel clubs and lifestyle travel brands designed to meet the needs of the modern leisure traveler, whether traveling the world or staying a little closer to home. Hospitality and responsible tourism are at the heart of the company's operations. The company's more than 19,000 dedicated employees around the world help the company fulfill its mission to put the world on vacation. For more information, visit travelandleisureco.com.

About Orange County Public Schools

Orange County Public Schools is the eighth largest school district in the nation and the fourth largest in Florida, educating nearly 209,000 students. Students come from 199 countries and speak 174 languages ​​or dialects. The district operates 210 schools from preschool through 12th grade. In addition, the district operates Orange Technical College, which consists of five technical colleges and two additional branch campuses. Over 40 magnet programs offer specialized curricula that address students' individual interests. Every student in OCPS receives a digital device as part of the digital learning initiative. OCPS is one of the largest employers in Orange County, Florida, with more than 24,000 full- and part-time employees. The district has been awarded the Governor's Sterling Award three times, the highest honor an organization can receive for business excellence in Florida. For more information, visit www.ocps.net.

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Contacts

Travel + Leisure Co.
Melissa Landy
407-626-3830
[email protected]