Sunday, January 31, 2010

Mardi Gras Benefit - Feb. 23

Jeff Waggoner, left, Director of the Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Ensembles, will lead the musicians in the Third Annual Mardi Gras Benefit Concert which aids students served by Schools Count Corp. This year all donated instruments will benefit Live Oak Elementary School in New Orleans while the cash proceeds will benefit additional schools in the city.

Speaking of instruments, anyone who brings an instrument will receive free admission to this wonderful collection of jazz. Not only will you get in free but Schools Count Corp will be present and pleased to write a tax deductible gift receipt for your donated instrument!!! If you aren't donating an instrument, admission is $5 for an individual and $10 for an entire family.

This special evening of jazz takes place on Tuesday, February 23 in the high school cafeteria. All of the HC Jazz Ensembles will perform at the 7:00 pm concert. Among those performing will be a number of recently selected musicians from IMEA, District 1. These include Sara Schuessler, alto sax; Evan Mac Ayeal and C. J. Geoga, tenor sax; Alan Verona and Ryan Silhavy, trombone; Tony Califano, piano; and Patrick Mardula, drums. Soloist Deborah Wright-Powell will also be performing. Quite a night indeed!!

This nightclub style evening includes sensational jazz and refreshments. What better way to celebrate Mardi Gras, here in Chicagoland, than by getting your friends and family out for what promises to be a night full of some of the best Cajun jazz around town.

See you there!
Dick Flesher

Friday, January 29, 2010

Build Hope, Build a School

(photo by Juliaproject.com)
No, this isn't St. Josesph's School; rather, it's an image of what we want to do in Petit Goave, Haiti...rebuild St. Joseph's!! There is a simple reason to rebuild schools in every corner of Haiti. You see, every time a child has a school to go to, where teachers and other adults can provide an environment of learning, there are opportunities afforded to the students.

Perhaps the opportunity will present itself in the form of learning something about art or music. It just might be that a youngster gets hooked on math and himself/herself wants to teach one day. Learning about science might inspire a young Haitian to become an inventor. Learning French or English, or another language may offer a student the opportunity to serve as a diplomat or to work in the international business field.

Whatever the opportunities, they will be found in the classroom. I urge you to join with Schools Count Corp, Little By Little, New Trier High School and other generous people to make the dream of a new school come alive.

You can do your share to help rebuild St. Joe's by going to the Schools Count Corp website and making a donation. Simply go to http://www.schoolscountcorp.org/ and you'll find more information about how you can be a partner bring opportunities to the young people of Petit Goave.

Many thanks,
Dick Flesher


Monday, January 25, 2010

Help Haiti Now!

(photo by Despardes) Perhaps this image best illustrates why it's so urgent to help Haiti and to bring some normalcy back to the everyday lives of its citizens. Too often we hear of looting in Port au Prince. My hunch is that there is much more cooperation, as this image illustrates, than we might otherwise think.

Though getting water through whatever means is possible is critical right now, in the long run it will be constructing homes, creating jobs and building schools that will better sustain Haitians. As I have stated, Schools Count Corp. is intent upon building a school in Haiti.

Through New Trier High School, in Illinois, we have made contact with two Haitians who were supporting a school in Petit Goave. Petit Goave is about 40 miles west of Port au Prince and was hit nearly as hard as the capital. At this point in time we are looking to partner with New Trier, the non-profit Little by Little, and others to make the dream of rebuilding St. Joes a reality!!

Much works remains but we are starting to get a plan; we have a specific school location, people who know the area, a construction school chief intent upon going into the country, and a number of people eager to help. Later this week I will meet with an architect to get some initial blueprint plans.

But as the photo illustrates, we will have to have the cooperation of everyone to make the school a reality. One thing seems sure, there are plenty of Haitians out there willing to do there part to help us. Let's pitch in and help rebuild St. Joes!

You can make your donation to help construct St. Joseph's. Simply go to our homepage, http://www.schoolscountcorp.org/ and make a contribution of any amount. All donations are appreciated.

Many thanks,
Dick Flesher

Thursday, January 21, 2010

HC Jr. Class to the Rescue

In a show of real outreach, the Hinsdale Central junior class, through its service project, collected 12 large boxes of coats, school uniforms, shoes and various classroom supplies for John McDonogh Senior High in New Orleans.

Too often fatigue can set in after any type of disaster in any part of the world. But nearly four and one-half years after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, the juniors at HC have maintained the presence of the school and community by assisting students, like themselves, who go through the daily routine of living that includes attending classes.

Kudos go out to those of you who took the time to initiative this worthwhile endeavor. To all those who contributed supplies, please accept my heartfelt thanks for the donation. Students nearly 1000 miles away are truly grateful!

Many thanks,
Dick Flesher

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New Orleans Schools to Help Haiti!!

A number of people have already committed funds to our effort to build a school in Haiti. As I was watching my email and receipt of funds, in response to letter seeking donations, I was struck by the fact that two of the first three emails I received were from people from New Orleans! And these folks are in a couple of schools that still need aid in the wake of the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Guess what they wanted to know? They wanted to know how they could help and they, in fact, said they would pitch in.

I am always amazed at the generosity of others and the willingness of those who have suffered a fate at the hands of nature to be right there to help others. That's plenty of inspiration for me to carry on, that's for sure!!

Thanks to one and all,
Dick

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Schools Count in Haiti

(Photo by: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Montreal La Presse, Ivanoh Demers)

As you know Haiti is reeling on all fronts. Whether it is food, sanitation, water, medical supplies, medical attention or shelter, hundreds of thousands are clamoring for help.

Right now larger government and non-government agencies are working on getting relief supplies to the island while, at the same time, working at finding survivors. Quite frankly, this is an endeavor best left to such agencies as state governments, international aid agencies and the like. These institutions are equipped to provide large scale operations calling for planes, security, airlifts, hospitals, ships and so much more. Schools Count Corp. is not able to accomplish such tasks.

When the time presents itself and we can get in the country Schools Count Corp. will build a ten-room school. At this time, 52.9% of the population is illiterate according to the World Fact Book. Some estimates place the current unemployment level at a disheartening 70%. Jobs and education have to be re-established to fight poverty and to provide the means for Haiti to get back on its feet. A ten-room school will cost in excess of $50,000. We'll not only build a school but Schools Count Corp. will provide the supplies and aid in the continued cost of operating the school in the years to come.

Your tax deductible donation will go a long way towards reaching our goal of building a school in Haiti. Too many orphans and far too many illiterate children need our help. We will build this school in order to enable the youngster in the photo, and others like him, to see a brighter day and more hopeful future.

You can make your contribution payable to "Schools Count Corp" and write "Haiti School" in the memo section of your check. Be sure to mail your contribution to Richard Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood, Mokena, IL. 60448. Also, in a couple of days, should you so desire to donate by credit card, you can go to our website and make your contribution in that manner.

We WILL build this school together!!

Many thanks,
Dick Flesher

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

One School Making a Huge Difference

Those of you who know me, and/or have heard me speak, have often heard me say that one person doesn't change the world or, for that matter, do they even change one person. I have often remarked, though, that one individual or one group can be very influential; that is, they can make a real difference.

One such organization has done just that for the past four years. Since those early days after Hurricane Katrina, Hinsdale Central High School has been there to aid Schools Count Corp. and the many thousands of students we serve in various corners of the country. From collecting relief supplies to running fundraisers, Central has always been there.

The students and faculty at Central have been responsible for enabling us to bring hundreds of thousands of dollars of all sorts of supplies to New Orleans residents and schools.

Aside from various individuals, clubs, and sports teams, who loaded trucks in the days right after the storm hit, the following deserve special mention for conducting and facilitating various fundraisers; Art Club, Boys Soccer, Buildings and Grounds, Central's Bldg. Administration, current and former staff, French Club, Future Educators of America, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Class Board, Music Department Jazz Ensembles, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Student Government.

Whether a car wash, a Mardi Gras Concert, collecting supplies or holding a soccer-tennis event, Hinsdale Central has always been there to help.

Many thanks,
Dick Flesher

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

HC Junior Class Rises Up

Too often in America today (as in the past) the tired refrain goes something like this..."kids today just don't care." Well, I have some first hand evidence to the contrary, many care quite deeply about the plight of others.

The most recent example of students who have a concern for others involves the Hinsdale Central High School Junior Class Board. The board, along with some like-minded seniors, have decided to undertake a service project. Mind you, this was not the brain child of the class sponsors; rather, the students themselves. To my delight they have opted to partner with Schools Count Corp and aid John McDonogh High School in New Orleans.

From the outset of this project to collect clothing and school supplies for the 560 students at McDonogh it was apparent to me that the HC class board was serious about making this a success. The class board developed an entertaining and informative power point to be viewed by all 650 juniors, made a detailed list of what each of the 27 homerooms should collect/donate and organized groups of students to make the pitch to their classmates. If you are wondering about the effort put into this you should realize that a number of students came into Central during winter break to put this project together.

Students are getting word of the service project on January 6th and the collection will occur on January 20th. All indications point to a wildly successful endeavor. Whoever says, and has said "that kids today just don't care" have it wrong when it comes to those who attend Hinsdale Central. Whether its a girls volleyball car wash, a boys soccer team soccer-tennis event, an HC Jazz Ensemble performance or the current service project, Central students have been there to support Schools Count Corp. They do care!



Thanks to one and all,

Dick Flesher

Girls Singing at IMN

Classes Singing at IMN

IMN School Opens

Driving into Port Au Prince

IMN School Welcome

Tour of IMN School

IMN School