After the Stoneman Douglas tragedy, Make Our Schools Safe donates $25,000 to improve campus security at Coconut Creek High School
Coconut Creek, Florida – In a heartwarming demonstration of community commitment to school safety, the nonprofit organization Make Our Schools Safe has awarded a generous $25,000 grant to Coconut Creek High School. This funding, aimed at enhancing campus security for the 2025-26 school year, comes as part of the ongoing efforts by the organization to create safer environments for students across the country.
Make Our Schools Safe was founded in the aftermath of the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The tragedy claimed the lives of 17 individuals, including Lori and Ilan Alhadeff’s daughter, Alyssa. In honor of their daughter and in a bid to make schools safer, the Alhadeffs established the nonprofit with a mission to provide resources and advocate for school safety initiatives.
Lori Alhadeff expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm about the partnership with Coconut Creek High School, highlighting the importance of student involvement in the process. “It’s inspiring to partner with a school that empowers its students to lead,” Alhadeff said. “We look forward to witnessing the positive difference this project will make in the Coconut Creek community.”
Read also: Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to open new Coral Springs restaurant later this year
The funds will be used to implement security upgrades identified during a recent campus risk assessment. While the specific details of the improvements remain confidential to ensure the security of the campus, Alhadeff confirmed that the upgrades will address both physical safety measures and critical needs for improved protection.
The $25,000 grant was made possible through the efforts of Coconut Creek High School’s own student-led Make Our Schools Safe club. This group of students worked diligently to apply for the donation, embodying the mission of the nonprofit to not only raise awareness about school safety but also involve students in taking proactive steps to protect their peers and teachers.
In addition to its support of individual schools like Coconut Creek High, Make Our Schools Safe operates student clubs at 27 schools nationwide. These clubs focus on hands-on emergency preparedness, teaching students important skills such as locating Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), identifying first aid kits, and using Stop the Bleed kits in case of emergencies.
The Alhadeffs continue to champion Alyssa’s Law, which mandates that schools have silent panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement. This law has now passed in 10 states, including Florida, and remains a central focus of Make Our Schools Safe’s advocacy work. The success of this law reflects the growing national recognition of the need for comprehensive safety protocols in schools.
Read also: South Florida NFL legend Dan Marino surprises birthday boy at ice cream shop in Coral Springs
As the grant to Coconut Creek High School underscores, the movement for school safety is not only about responding to tragedies but also about proactively taking steps to protect students and staff alike. Through the generosity of organizations like Make Our Schools Safe, schools are becoming more prepared to handle potential threats, ensuring that tragedies like the one that took Alyssa’s life are less likely to occur in the future.
The Alhadeffs’ continued advocacy and their commitment to creating lasting change in school safety practices exemplify the power of a community coming together in the face of adversity. By empowering students, school officials, and communities, they are paving the way for safer, more secure schools across the nation.
