Coats - A big deal

Just imagine wanting to go to school in the deep snow and you don't have a winter coat. Conjure up a youngster who would like to go next door or to the grocery store with Mom and Dad and they have only a hoodie to wear in the bitter cold. Or think about the child who has a coat that is torn, dirty or simply too old to wear...most people would feel embarrassed.

That's why I'm making a big deal about collecting winter coats for a number of the students who attend the schools in Harvey and Chicago. They shouldn't be faced with the conditions I outlined in the preceding paragraph.

To be a part of this effort to bring some warmth and comfort to deserving school children in our area, please consider donating a new or gently used children's coat to the cause. Why not start your own effort to help the kids? Please contact me at rich219@comcast.net to lend a helping hand.

Thank you,
Dick

Calling All Coats

Well what do you know?! The seven day string of record 92 degree heat (plus) has finally given way to some normal chilly fall like temps. And those falling temps will surely - sorry to say - will give way to the cold of late fall and winter. Oh, sorry to mention that last word.

On a serious note, those bitter cold days mean that we all have to bundle up. As we have for the past eight years, our charity will once again be collecting children's winter coats. We prefer new ones as a brand new one makes it that much more special for the kids.

Our goal is to collect/buy 500 coats between now and November 15th when we will provide these to the principals of the various schools at our 'Appreciation Dinner.'

A few guidelines. We prefer new coats (I can write a tax receipt for you) but will take gently used winter coats that are very clean and almost like new. Please, NO hoodies, NO sweatshirts, NO trench coats, NO long dress coats.

You can drop these off at 9550 140th Ct. in Orland Park (give me a call at 630-863-6035 ahead of time) or at 345 Harris in Clarendon Hills or at 451 Colfax in Clarendon Hills. Please contact me at rich219@comcast.net with any questions.

Many thanks,
Dick

Supplies to Houston Students!

To Our Houston school supply donors,

Just wanted you to know that nearly $15,000.00 worth of school supplies were purchased and delivered to some of the schools impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. I have a few photos attached which shows the children at KIPP Corner (the KC on their shirts) unloading the truck so that they can be moved to other schools (which is taking place as I write to you).

A former Hinsdale Central High School student, Sammie Schmidt, who teaches in Houston is coordinating the effort on the ground.

I think you can tell from the smiles on the faces of these students, they are thrilled that we assisted them and just as elated to help get the supplies to others in need.

To one and all, my heartfelt thanks for making this happen. I'm so very appreciative!

Sincerely,

Dick Flesher

KICK Success!

Thanks goes out to all the boys in this photo who participated in the 2017 KICK event!! Special shout out to Alex Cole, Brady McKay, Edison Hawkins and Jackson Harris (and the Moms) who took the lead in getting the event off the ground. $7,100.00 has been raised up to this point in time. The funds will be used to purchase school supplies for area schools and to buy some new winter coats. A portion of the proceeds will also aid Houston, TX as it recovers from Hurricane Harvey.

I'm pleased to know that a group of civic minded individuals have stepped up to assist those in need. Please know that your donations, time and effort are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Coach Flesher

Some Reflections

There are numerous times when any number of individuals may say to themselves, in some self talk, 'What can I do?' Most of us want to pitch in when help is needed or when a crisis arises. And it doesn't necessarily mean that the crisis is a hurricane or earthquake. It might very well be that a family has lost a home or that a group of people in a civic organization could use a helping hand.

It could be something as simple, given the heat wave here in Chicago, that we look in on someone who is older or is without airconditioning.

I have thought about the idea of 'What can I do?' for many years, often reflecting on what it means to those who simply don't have the means, for one reason or another, to acquire what is needed to forge ahead.

For me, I think that the answer to the question, 'What can I do?' is this. We can do almost anything, not everything but, almost anything. It will take some time, phone calls, consideration of others, kindness, and a sincere desire to help others...to help them without any reservations or conditions. Yes, you have to throw yourself into it. Put another way, don't be detered, don't be afraid to go for it.

Thanks for you support of our charity,
Dick

Great News on All Fronts

I n our efforts to raise funds for hurricane relief I am please to report that we have been able to collect in excess of $17,000 for those who need our help. The desperation doesn't end just because a few weeks have passed. You can still donate by going to our website at www.schoolscountcorp.org or send a check to Dick Flesher at 9550 140th Court, Unit #112, Orland Park, IL 60462. Kindly make the tax deductible check payable to Schools Count Corp.

It is my pleasure to announce that our 'Appreciation Dinner' will be held on Wednesday, November 15th at the Community House in Hinsdale (415 W. Eighth St.). This is a time of celebration and a time to come together to reflect on the great work of our donors, volunteers and those who we are able to support. ALL are welcome. Yes, everyone!!! There is no charge for the dinner. It is our chance to say thank you! Simply email me with your name and number of guests who will attend.

Dick

Texas Update

My tech skills, more appropriately, my lack thereof, has prevented me from keeping you posted on some of our endeavors in Texas. A large shipment of school supplies is due to arrive at KIPP Connect either today or tomorrow. As soon as I get photos and confirmation I'll be sure to pass it along to one and all.

Yesterday I spoke with an individual with the Rockport, TX schools. If you'll recall this was the epicenter of Hurricane Harvey. To say that there is widespread devastation might be an understatement. To give you an idea of the carnage, the schools won't open until early October at the soonest.

Right now I can't ship anything to them!! Why? The schools are too damaged and there is literally NO place to store supplies. It looks like the district will contract to receive some 80 trailers to use as classrooms. Of course, locating the children (many of them with their families fled Rockport) to get them back in class will be problematic.

Thanks for your interest, support, patience and many donations.
Dick

Soccer Fundraiser - 9/13

Supporters of Schools Count,

The Hinsdale Central Boys Varsity Soccer Team has really pitched in to raise funds for our charity and, in turn, to support our efforts to help children in Chicago area schools as well as with some of our relief efforts in hurricane ravaged areas.

We would like to invite you to support these efforts by getting a meal at the Chipotle Restaurant on Ogden Ave. in Westmont this Wednesday, Sept. 13th between 5 and 9 pm. You will need to provide a flyer in order for us to receive 50%, yes 50% of the proceeds!! Simply email me at rich219@comcast.net and I'll be pleased to send you the flyer.

On behalf of our KICK (Kick it In for Chicago Kids) soccer team members - Alex Cole, Jackson Harris, Edison Hawkins and Brady McKay - please accept our thanks for your support.

Regards,
Dick Flesher


Dick Flesher
Schools Count Corp., NFP
9550 140th Ct., Apt. #112
Orland Park, IL 60462
630-863-6035
www.schoolscountcorp.org
www.schoolscountcorp.blogspot.c

Houston Update

Just a quick note to let you know that we have collected a wonderful sum of money to aid some Houston schools. To date you have donated $11,041 to the relief efforts.

We are readying supplies to be shipped out next week. The funds you have so generously donated will allow us to send the following to Houston; 400 backpacks, 1200 binders, 1000 boxes of colored pencils, 10,000 folders, 2000 packs of filler paper, 1500 glue sticks, 5000 notebooks, 12,000 pencils, 1000 pairs of scissors, and 6000 tooth brushes.

As more photos and information come in, I'll be sure to pass it along.

Thank you!
Dick

Helping Houston

Just wanted to provide everyone with a quick update on the aid being provided to some of the Houston schools our charity is assisting. Our supplies will go to KIPP Connect where a former Hinsdale Central High School graduate is teaching. KIPP Connect will need some of the supplies and then the school will in turn provide some of the supplies to hard hit schools in the area.

By the way, KIPP Connect has classes this week and that is obviously great news!

KIPP Connect, just that one school, had 30 student families displaced by the hurricane. Some of the teaching staff were also impacted. There was a good deal of poverty among some of the families prior to the devastating storm. All told, the needs are great.

I am still taking CASH donations if you would like to contribute to the cause. You can donate online by going to our website at www.schoolscountcorp.org or sending a check to Dick Flesher, 9550 140th Court, #112, Orland Park, IL. 60462. Kindly make the check payable to Schools Count Corp. and write Texas in the memo section if you would please.

Many thanks,
Dick

Harvey - Patience and Persistence

Sometimes we Americans, nobly, want to pitch in and help during a time of need as is the case with the current disaster facing many in the State of Texas. And indeed aid is needed right now. However, many of the conditions right now are such that it is difficult to get supplies and resources where they are needed. Roads are blocked, floods persist, rescue operations are going on and it is simply not safe in a number of regions.

It may very well be that your assistance will be just as valuable in two weeks or two months as it is in the next two hours. Of course I'm not trying to dissuade any of you from pitching in.

Please be patient as those in charge finish their rescues. Reservoirs have to be secured along with power grids. Roads and shelters need be safe. Aid groups and NGO's have to get volunteers and assess their needs. Speaking of needs, please check to see what people in the region need. Don't just send anything. First, ask them what is most necessary. Give them the time they need to sort through all of these logistics...where to store things, how to disperse them and the like.

Finally, let's stay persistent. After a week or two and the lights dim there will be growing and urgent needs. It may be that we'll have to make additional monetary donations or send in trucks in a few weeks. Stay vigilant and persistent will help these folks in many ways.

Thanks to all who have already donated to SCC! We have collected just over $5,000.00 in three days!!

Dick