| The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Volusia County’s constitutional officers have joined forces to help Volusia County’s homeless students in this particularly difficult pandemic-plagued year.
The officers are collecting money and gift cards for food, gasoline and hotel stays for approximately 2,000 homeless students in Volusia County. The charity drive runs through Dec. 14.
More: Click here to make a donation
As of Oct. 30, the numbers for homeless students in Volusia County were as follows: 84 living in cars, campgrounds and parks; 176 living in emergency shelters and transitional housing; 178 homeless unaccompanied youth; 351 in hotels or motels; and 1,396 “living with others/double up,” according to information provided to Roth by the Volusia County School District.
The constitutional officers, which include Volusia County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court Laura Roth, Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis, Property Appraiser Larry Bartlett and newly elected Tax Collector Will Roberts, filmed a video in which each took a turn asking for help.
“Our holiday and charity drive is not about toys. It’s about necessities,” Bartlett said in the video. “So let’s help our homeless students have a safe place to sleep these holidays and donate a gift card for food or a safe place to sleep.”
Roth, who suggested the idea to her fellow officers, also spoke on the video.
“So please join our cause by supporting our homeless students for the holidays,” Roth said. “Donate food or gas-gift card or a gift card for a stay at a hotel at one of our many locations. Our staff is standing by to accept your generous gifts … Together we can make a difference for our students in need.”
How to contribute to the Constitutional Officers Charity Drive:
Online at vsyf.org.
Or visit one of the constitutional offices in person and contribute cash or gift cards:
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in the First Floor Recording Room A121 at the Volusia County Courthouse at 101 N. Alabama Ave. in DeLand; the First Floor Civil Division Room 100 at City Island Courthouse at 125 E. Orange Ave. in Daytona Beach. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 386-736-5915, ext. 16514.
Sheriff’s office locations at 1706 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand; 1435 U.S. Highway 1 in the Ormond Beach/Holly Hill area; 101 E. Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach; 1691 Providence Blvd. in Deltona; and 79 S. Charles Beall Blvd. in DeBary. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 386-490-6023.
Supervisor of Elections office at 1750 S. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 386-736-5930.
The Volusia County Property Appraisers Main Office, Room 102, at 123 W. Indiana Ave. DeLand, and at offices at 921 N. Nova Road in Holly Hill, 113 E. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach, and 2744-A Enterprise Road, Orange City. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 386-882-5717.
Volusia County Property Tax and Tag Office Room 103 at 123 W. Indiana Ave. in DeLand; 1845 Holsonback Drive in Daytona Beach; 111 Canal St. in New Smyrna Beach; and 2744 Enterprise Road in Orange City.
