Supplies Galore!

This is what our garage looks like after one day of collecting school supplies!!! And its just one side of the garage at that. This massive amount of supplies, stored at home, came from Hickory Creek Elementary, Napeville Central H. S., Elmwood Elementary, Glen Meadows Elementary, Lockports H. S., Lincoln Way East H. S., and Steeple Run Elementary.

There are literally thousands upon thousands of notebooks, binders, packets of loose leaf paper and folders, not to mention the tens of thousands of pencils, crayons, pens and colored markers. These supplies were destined for a land fill or garbage heap but, thanks to the generosity of the various schools, they will find their way to the Chicago Public School classrooms come this August.

We have already amassed six pallets of supplies (each pallet worth roughly $3500 in retail value) in our 'Go Green collection program. In other words we have nearly $21,000 worth of nearly new supplies donated to us for FREE!

We still have another 15-18 area schools that are donating supplies to Schools Count in the next two weeks. Needless to say, we will have a massive amount of supplies, along with new classroom resources we are purchasing from Walmart, to deliver to the CPS schools in mid August.

To all those who are part of this 'Go Green' initiative please accept my thanks for your efforts in getting our collection off to a fantastic start.

Dick Flesher

A Cappella Underground Rocks!

Fourteen teenagers took to the stage yesterday at the First Congregational Church in Glen Ellyn. Oh did they ever take to the stage!! In a mixture of current pop music, past oldies and some of their very own songwriting, this group put on a sensational concert that brought smiles and laughter to the entire audience.

The program featured solo's and duets in addition to the entire group of singers performing some of the hottest hits. All of this was done to raise funds for Schools Count Corp. as we continue to help schools in New Orleans and Chicago.

The thirteen Glenbard West and one Hinsdale Central students put on a memorable performance that included such favorites at 'Love,' 'Down,' 'Moon River,' '8 Days a Week,' 'Natural Woman,' and 'Don't Stop Believin.' In all, A Cappella Underground sang 18, count 'em, 18 different songs.

Their voices were sharp, the singers were well rehearsed and their coordinated efforts were superb. This was a first rate performance! I know that I left First Congregational happy to have met the entire group and totally enthused by their performance.

Here's to A Cappella Underground...all fourteen members; Maddie Brady, Alex Cooper, Emily Crowe, George Dallman, Spencer Douglas, Amanda Heidorn, Allyse McGrath, Paul Nicholson, Conor Owens, Laura Petruskka, Abbie Reifel, Annie Russell, Sarah Schuessler, and Kevin Vondrak. Special mention goes out to Sarah Schuessler for convincing the group to donate the entire proceeds of the performance to Schools Count Corp. Thanks Sarah!

A Happy Patron,
Dick Flesher

One Person Making a Difference

People may say "Who is Ellie Kleber?" Well, she is a senior at Hinsdale Central High School and a person who loves to sing. She also just so happens to be in a course at HC called 'Invitation to Teach.' That's where this story starts.

Recently, her Invitation to Teach instructor, Dawn Oler, went to Haiti for the dedication of IMN School in Darbonne. The long and short of the story is that, while in Haiti, the teachers at IMN told Dawn of some of their instructional material needs. In turn, Dawn came back to Central and recounted her experiences in Haiti with her Invitation to Teach students.

From that point on, Ellie went to work. Ellie sings with the Chicago Children Choir and she asked her instructor if she could collect money to purchase some of the resource needs at IMN. Her instructor gave Ellie the go-ahead to collect funds at a performance last week. Ellie was able to collect the whopping sum of $545. The funds raised by Ellie will be used to purchase Haitian Creole picture books for the kindergartners at IMN.

Yes, one person, in this case Ellie Kleber, does make a difference! On behalf of Schools Count and the children at IMN, thanks Ellie!!

Dick Flesher

Two Exciting Events

There are two exciting and entertaining events taking place within the next week that have much to do with the ongoing work of Schools Count Corp.

First of all, Sarah Schuessler, a senior at Hinsdale Central High School is performing in a Cappella Concert at the First Congregational Church in Glen Ellyn, IL. on Sunday, May 16th. The concert is free to the general public and will take place from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Anyone attending is free to make a donation should they so desire. Sarah, and the rest of the cappella singers, have designated Schools Count Corp as the recipient of any contributions made on the day of the concert. Sarah, like the rest of the Schuessler Family have long been supporters of the work of Schools Count and I am indebted to Sarah for her continuted work on behalf of children in need.

Recently, I had the good fortune of traveling to Haiti to assess the progress being made on the rebuilding of IMN School in Darbonne, Haiti. I took a number of photos and videos of the school, and surrounding area, and want to share my experiences with you. I will be making a powerpoint presentation on my April 23-26 travels on the evening of Monday, May 17th from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm in the Hinsdale Central High School student cafeteria. The presentation is open to the public and there is no admission. There will be plenty of time for questions. I think you will find the talk and visuals to be eye-opening. As cameras and some of the non-profits have left the island, a good deal is taking place that goes unreported. Should you attend, please be so kind as to let me know by contacting me at rich219@comcast.net.

I look forward to seeing you at one or both of these events.

Many thanks,
Dick

Calling All Schools

Now that May is upon us, it won't be long until the school year comes to an end. And with it comes the opportunity for schools, staff and students of Chicago-area schools to provide daily resources, left unused or partly used, for our 'Go Green' program.

Many schools in the suburbs are already a part of this program this spring. Among those participating are those in Mokena, Hinsdale, Naperville and Darien. Our 'Go Green' program is seeking 'gently used' or new supplies that can be donated to Schools Count Corp so that we, in turn, can provide them to students in need in Chicago and New Orleans.

We are in need of binders, loose leaf paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, composition books, 3-prong folders, rulers, colored markers, scissors, and colored pencils. Schools Count will be glad to come to your school to pick up these items as a convenient time for both parties.

To be a part of this exciting program of keeping perfectly good students supplies out of a landfill and to get them in the hands of students who really will use them simply contact Dick Flesher at rich219@comcast.net. I will be sure to give you all the information needed to make such a collection worthwhile for all concerned.

Many thanks,
Dick

Thanks to IMN

Not only were the students and staff out in full force for the dedication of IMN on Saturday, April 24, a number of parents of the students made it to the ceremony. In this clip I am thanking all of the people associated with IMN for their graciousness and hospitality. If you turn up the volume I believe you will pick up some of my comments to those assembled.

After the ceremony and some light refreshments I had the good fortune to thank the parents, on behalf of Kids4Good and Schools Count, for keeping their children in school. I also expressed my genuine appreciation for allowing us to help them rebuild IMN and for making me feel so welcome.

There is much to do at IMN, and in Haiti, but rebuilding one school and one life at a time does make a difference.

Thanks,
Dick Flesher

A Commentary on Haiti

Haitians are a hard working people, always on the go and quite busy. Why is it then that poverty is so rampant? There are many reasons; political, technological, educational, and more. But giving some thought to the future, while assessing their resources, leads me to conclude that there are ways to correct some of these ills.

It is a well known fact that many countries, the USA among them, subsidize low prices on products such as rice which flow into Haiti. If Haitians can buy American rice at a cheap price that undercuts Haitian rice production. If the price of rice on the street is cheaper than Haitian grown rice it stands to reason that Haitians may consume and grow less Haitian rice.

I would suggest that countries tie cutting subsidies on their exports to Haiti in order to encourage Haitian production. This action should take place on rice production though other sorts of subsidies may need to continue. The point is, Haitians can grow more of their own rice.

Haitians grow plenty of papaya, plantain, and bananas, among other crops. Now that Haiti is in need of cash to rebuild while, at the same time affording her citizens the opportunity for work, why not export more of these crops. I am not sure I have ever seen such crops on the shelves of American grocery stores. Maybe these crops are on our shelves but not to the extent that they could be. I can't believe there are many countries closer to proximity to the USA, that can sell such foods, than Haiti.

I understand that goverments and businesses have to work out such deals but I am certain that such agreements can be made in the aftermath of the Janurary earthquake.

Cutting certain subsidies while finding ways to increase the export of various crops grown by Haitians seems a reasonable course of action. Now is the time to work out such arrangements for the sake of the future of Haiti.

Dick Flesher

Haiti Matters

By almost anyone's standards, most importantly, those of Haitians, too much poverty and hardship persists both prior to the earthquake and after. There seems to be little disagreement on this front.

Asking whether Haiti matters, or not, given its history, is pondered in some quarters. Exploring this point is important in terms of the quality of life of the citizens and the future of the country. In spite of the heroic efforts of so many, including many brave Haitians, so much remains to be done. On the surface one can make the case that progress is lacking and the future is without hope.

I'm aware of the fact that there are people who believe that the efforts to assist Haitians, in the final analysis, is to no avail. They see a lack of a cohesive government and continued misery. Hard to argue on these two counts.

But Haiti matters because Haitians matter. They matter like any individual, wealthy or not. Recently, I have spent four days among a number of Haitians; John Engle's family, members of Maxandre Bien-Aime school staff, countless IMN school students, and friends of the Engle's. I have also been to a couple of markets with John and met some delightful Haitians.

If I can generalize from this group to the larger Haitian population, I can say that they are; patient, resilient, resourceful, hospitable, and a sheer delight. Needy yes, but, with a true dignity and decency.

And for those Haitians filled with anger and despair, often out of their control, I can say that I understand how they can feel this way. None of us knows what it is like to teeter on the very brink. I don't even want to think about what it would be like to face such a catastrophy on a daily basis. Remember 50% of Haitians live on $1 or less per day.

Yes, Haitians I've met, in addition to those faces unknown to me, matter. Just because the pain seems endless and the future is bleak doesn't means we should ignore them or that they don't count. I tire of hearing the phrase 'if they can take care of themselves, why should I?' To that I say the following...for those who have plenty seek those in need.

Dick Flesher