What if one Teaching Trunk could change a child’s view of the world?
Join Crofton Cares and give the gift of education.
Your support will go twice as far in bringing history to life for students.
These Teaching Trunks travel to schools across Florida, the Nation, and beyond. They provide educators with books, lesson plans, and materials that teach the Holocaust with empathy and accuracy.
In a time when 63% of young Americans don’t know 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust—and antisemitism continues to rise—this work is more vital than ever.
Help keep these Teaching Trunks reaching classrooms in Florida, the Nation, and beyond.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Amy & Michael Southard and their foundation, Crofton Cares, every donation made will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.
Together, we can ensure that “Never Again” is more than a phrase; it becomes a future we create.
If you’d like to know more about the Teaching Trunks or if you are a teacher who would like to request one for their classroom, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly are Teaching Trunks?
A: Teaching Trunks are actual traveling trunks filled with grade and age-appropriate educational materials that are shipped to elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Florida and across other states. We also work with families that home-school their children. Our Education Team has meticulously curated the materials included in the trunks, such as books, videos, maps, and other items.
Q: How did the Teaching Trunks program begin?
A: The Florida Holocaust Museum advocated to our partner, the Florida Department of Education, for Holocaust education to become mandatory in the statewide curriculum. As a result, Florida passed its Holocaust Education Mandate in 1994, making it one of the first states in the nation to do so.
Q: Why are Teaching Trunks so important?
A: The Trunks play a crucial role in educating our students about the horrors and the lessons of the Holocaust. Education takes “Never Again” from an adage to a call to action. As we lose our generation of Survivors at a sadly increasing pace, it is imperative that we do everything we can to make sure future generations learn about the Holocaust and become empowered to learn from its lessons.
Q: How do schools get involved with The Florida Holocaust Museum?
A: All they need to do is fill out a request on our website, and our Education Team will work in collaboration with the teachers and the schools to customize the materials they receive. Trunks can be shipped out as early as within one day’s notice. Trunks typically remain in the classroom for about six weeks, but schools may keep them for an entire semester if they would like to. You can also recommend a school that you would like to see participate in this program. Simply provide us with a school name and a contact to reach out to, and we’ll follow up.
Q: How much does it cost the schools to participate?
A: There is no cost to the schools. All costs associated with the Trunks (including the approximately $400/per trunk to ship, plus refreshing and updating materials) are paid for by your donations to The Florida Holocaust Museum.
Q: What grades are eligible to have a Teaching Trunk sent to their classroom?
A: We work with students from 1st through 12th grade. Our 1st and 2nd graders learn about character and resiliency, and our 3rd and 4th graders learn about creating community, good citizenship, and kindness. In 5th grade, we introduce the Holocaust and include lessons about empathy, responsibility, and problem solving. It is during middle school and high school that the students really begin to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and Human Rights.
Q: How do the educators know how to present the materials that The Florida Holocaust Museum provides?
A: Your donations pay for The Florida Holocaust Museum to train the teachers with no cost to the schools or the educators. Teachers can take the training virtually or in person to receive their Certificate of Completion. Our in-house Education Team facilitates the trainings.
Q: How can I help?
A: Your donations are vital to sustain and broaden this program. Our goal is to have Teaching Trunks sent to every state in the United States, and expand our reach internationally.
The Florida Holocaust Museum, Inc., is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Registration Number CH6448 and receives 100% of all donated funds. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state or online at www.freshfromflorida.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.