Shaquille O’Neal Foundation donates $12k in educational resources to Nevada schools

Las Vegas (KSNV) — Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada (CIS) has received a generous donation of 24 “Classroom in a Box” supplies from The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, in partnership with the Public Education Foundation (PEF).

Valued at $12,000, these boxes will support 24 classrooms across four Clark County School District schools, providing essential supplies to teachers and students.

Each box, valued at $500 and personally autographed by Shaquille O’Neal, contains materials for up to 30 students.

The boxes were distributed to Manuel J. Cortez Elementary School, Ruben P. Diaz Elementary School, Ann Lynch Elementary School, and Mario C. & Joanne Monaco Middle School.

“We are so grateful for partners like the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and the Public Education Foundation, who are proof of the positive differences we can make when working together to serve our children,” said Debbie Palacios, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada.

“With only a few months remaining in the school year, this donation not only helps up to 24 teachers who often have to dig into their own pockets to ensure their classrooms have adequate supplies, but it will also support more than 720 students, allowing them to learn and finish the school year strong.”

Dr. Lisa Morris Hibbler, Executive Director of The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, said, “At The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, we believe every child deserves the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. We’re proud to partner on this project to ensure students are fully equipped for the second semester, empowering them to focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.”

Peter Guzman, Board Chair of the Public Education Foundation, shared, “We are honored to partner with the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation to provide the Classroom in a Box to hard-working educators who often purchase the supplies their students need to participate in the classroom and do their homework. These supplies will help ensure our students have access to the resources they need for learning at school and home, and we know Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada will get them directly to the students and teachers who need them the most.”

Shaquille O’Neal, an NBA Hall of Famer and founder of The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is also a member of the CIS national board of directors.

The foundation is also working on a multi-million-dollar collaborative youth facility to benefit CIS and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, scheduled to open in fall 2026.

Since 2004, CIS of Nevada has demonstrated measurable success in student outcomes, with a high school graduation rate of 97 percent for CIS case-managed graduation-eligible students in Nevada for the 2023-2024 school year.