New Orleans Helps Haiti!

With far too many people in this country espousing  what students are and aren't achieving, too much is lost on much of the public when it comes to the enormous good so many of them do for others.  Many schools have organizations such as Student Council, ACE, Student Government, Key Club, Let's Help Out, and others which aid the elderly, shut-ins, and those who simply need a helping hand.

Speaking of helping, Schools Count Corp couldn't function without the assistance of schools in our 'Go Green' recycling program.  I'll have much more to report on regarding our recycling program in the coming days.  Suffice it to say, it is a fundamental aspect of getting children desperately needed school supplies.

Recently, we undertook an initiative to rebuild Institute Mixte Nao School in Haiti.  To our sheer amazement we have had a number of Chicago area schools run fundraisers to assist us in raising the needed cash to construct IMN.  Included among them are Downers Grove South High School, Hinsdale Central High School, Lockport Township High School, and Orland Center School.  One other school has jumped aboard with a donation of funds, Benjamin Banneker Elementary in New Orleans.

Many of the people at Banneker; teachers, students, administrators and parents suffered greatly at the hands of Hurricane Katrina.  And for many of them, they are still recovering from the staggering economic and emotional toll of the storm.  I know that for a fact.  For this school to take the time to gather the funds for IMN is wonderful.  For them to gather the enormous sum of cash they have donated to Schools Count and, in turn, to provide them to IMN, is remarkable.  Remarkable, in that they care for others and remarkable in light of their own ongoing needs.

What an amazing story, one school almost destroyed in a hurricane coming to the aid of one destroyed in another land!

Dick Flesher