PASCO COUNTY – After losing over $179,000 in inventory during the 2024 hurricane season in what was once referred to as the Kid’s Closet, Marjorie’s Hope President Debi Shackowsky knew she needed to take action quickly.
She envisioned a shopping experience where underserved students could come in and shop for free in a fun, contemporary environment to help shake the second-hand feel and help instill confidence.
After receiving her pitch, the Leadership Pasco Class of 2025 chose her charity for its class project.
For this project, the Leadership Pasco class was tasked with converting an old classroom at Wendell Krinn Technical High School in New Port Richey and creating something that felt like a true storefront in the community.
After raising over $42,000 at its fundraiser, the class coordinated with Pasco County Schools staff and the Marjorie’s Hope team to ensure construction, design, purchasing and buildout went flawlessly.
“Our class knew we were taking on an extremely ambitious project with hopes of renovating a very old classroom and completely building it out and turning it into something special for the families in our community,” said Garrett Early, class president of Leadership Pasco Class of 2025 and project manager for Williams Company. “We cannot thank Pasco Schools enough for being the catalyst to our class reaching our goals. Their leadership team met with us and within weeks had their crews create an amazing updated blank canvas for us to come in and build out. This project couldn’t have been what it is today without each and every person who contributed.”
The nonprofit offers students privacy to shop free of charge at Marjorie’s Hope Outfitters with a referral from a teacher, school administrator, social worker, Guardian ad Litem, school resource officer or clergy member. Each referred student can shop for five pairs of pants, five shirts, five sets of underwear, five pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, and hygiene items to ensure they have what they need to succeed.
Shackowsky thanked Leadership Pasco’s Class of 2025 for helping bring her vision to fruition. She also credited Pasco County Schools for providing space for the initiative.
The mission at Marjorie’s Hope is to make a positive difference in the lives of students who need it most. The charity runs other programs like Tools 4 School Backpacks Program, Cinderella and Prince Charming Projects.
“Our class poured their hearts and souls into this project. We had groups out there three days a week for over a month assembling furniture, putting up wallpaper and hanging clothing,” said Lauren Miceli, chair of the class fundraising and design committees, and director of marketing and communications for Pasco EDC. “I am so proud to be a part of this year’s Leadership Pasco Class and to have had the honor of working so closely with Debi to help bring Marjorie’s Hope Outfitters to life.”
Each Leadership Pasco class is responsible for organizing a class project that will make a positive impact on the community. The challenge is to create a class project that brings charitable people and resources together to address a particular social, educational, economic, environmental or cultural need in Pasco County.
“The Leadership Pasco Board has been thoroughly impressed by what the Class of 2025 has been able to achieve through its fundraiser and class project this year,” said Angel Cook, president of Leadership Pasco and owner of Leaders Insurance Agency. “The class worked hand-in-hand with Debi to bring her vision for the children of the community to life and put in countless hours of sweat equity building out a beautiful space that will serve many for years to come. We are very proud of what they have done.”
Want to help?
Anyone interested in participating in Marjorie’s Hope or learning more about supporting the initiative can contact Debi Shackowski at or 727-776-5458.
