A Brighter Day for Galveston

Sander Hardenbol's very own words, "A Brighter Day for Galveston," about yesterday's delivery of supplies to San Jacinto Elementary couldn't be more appropriate! Sander and his wife, April, helped me deliver school supplies yesterday, Monday, Oct. 20th and I'll have more to say about their volunteer efforts a bit later.

Taking school supplies into Galveston, TX yesterday took me back, sadly, to the early days of aiding the New Orleans schools in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The streets of Galveston are cluttered with mounds of debris, many street lights aren't operational, and large boats remained jammed against I-45 as one comes into or leaves the city. These are but a small handful of the many obstacles facing the residents of a city too often hit by storms.

The devastation of Hurricane Ike has left deep wounds on this coastal city; its normal daily activities, the children, and its schools. Truly, the students and schools are in desperate need of help.

Students have too few resources for classes. April and Sander Hardenbol, two Houston residents, helping me deliver supplies to San Jacinto Elementary, remarked that they only saw one box of folders in the entire distribution area at the school. By the way, this is a sort of distribution area for all of the thirteen Galveston schools.

To say the least, our arrival with thousands of binders, crayons, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, folders, and colored pencils was met with outright joy. Julie Schmed, who oversees educational supply donations to the Galveston Independent School system, couldn't have been happier. Her eyes lit up when she saw the supplies on the back of the truck.

As Julie said, "people keep asking me for these types of supplies and I tell them, they're coming." It is pretty obvious Julie is doing her part to garner needed resources for the children but they have been slow to make their way to the classroom.

Added to the absence of needed supplies is the fact that Ike caused so much damage, much of it manifesting itself in the classroom. Schools were damaged (some of them are still closed), children are in need of clothes, supplies and equipment within some of the buildings are ruined and lost. Beyond these conditions is the sad fact that there may be as many as 3,000 homeless children on the island. The school district is doing it best to serve these youngsters.

After unloading the truck, April, Sander and I marveled at the work of the GISD employees. Julie couldn't have been more pleased with the donations of Schools Count Corp. Theresa and Kelly two dynamic and enegetic volunteers inside the building were effusive in their praise of our efforts. By the way, positive...Theresa and Kelly are just that. They were everywhere; stacking supplies, folding clothes, arranging deliveries, helping those coming to the center to select items, and so much more. Talk about two people making a difference...WOW!

Some how, some way, Schools Count Corp will make it back to Galveston. I'm not sure when but it will be sooner rather than later. With volunteers like Julie, Fred (the hard working custodian), Theresa and Kelly we'd be crazy not to come back. By the way, April and Sander took the day off from work to help. Talk about dedicated and committed people!! Thanks!

Again, to all those who donated their time and money to the Galveston initiative let me offer you my sincere thanks. You have once again made a huge difference. Once I get back to Illinois I'll post some pictures of our work with the Galveston schools.

Thanks,
Dick Flesher

Going to Galveston!

Finally, nearly a month after Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston Island, the students are back at their desks. But normalcy has not returned to schools. Piles of debris are still strewn about, people are without proper housing, jobs are gone, many students are displaced from their original school and life is anything but normal for many. As parents struggle with these issues, students are still in need of daily materials for their classwork.

Perhaps the proof of the continuing struggles for so many is the fact that former Presidents Bush and Clinton toured the Galveston area on Tuesday, October 14 to get a first hand account of the devastation and to plead for desperately needed funds for islands residents.

Many will recall that the two former Presidents raised sorely needed funds for the Asian tsunami survivors as well as those who faced the havoc of Hurricane Katrina in NOLA. It's pretty obvious that Ike has had the same lethal impact on Galveston residents as did the two earlier hurricanes.

Schools Count Corp will head to Galveston on Sunday, October 19 and will deliver a variety of supplies to the schools and assess the damage on October 20th and 21st. Students will be provided with pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, crayons, and colored pencils among other items.

As we head into Galveston I want to make special mention of the fact that two area high schools are doing their part to help the schools. The Student Council of Lyons Township High School has made a significant contribution relative to purchasing supplies for the children. LT's Homecoming has a social aspect to it and this year the students chose to support our endeavor. Likewise, Hinsdale Central's Habitat for Humanity Club is sponsoring its annual chili dinner, donating 50% of the proceeds to Schools Count Corp so that we can buy classroom essentials. Kudo's to LT and HC!!

I'll follow up with stories and pictures of our trek into Galveston next week.

To those of you who have contributed time, energy, funds and products to this initiative...many thanks! You are one of the main forces behind helping the Galveston students recover from the storm.

Dick Flesher