Calling All Volunteers

Tanner Elementary School in Chicago is one of the many schools which benefits from the supplies that we bring to the students each August.

Global Hope, a fabulous organization that we've worked with in prior years, is planning a huge painting and touch up project for Presidents Day weekend. We'll be doing some repairs and painting of classrooms and hallways on Saturday, Feb. 19th and Sunday Feb. 20th.

Global Hope is an organization that has provided Schools Count Corp with funds so that we can purchase supplies for the children. For the past two years GH has made the trek to New Orleans to work on rehab projects in two city schools. I am certain we will do a bang up job at Tanner! I have no doubt that we will put some smiles on the faces of administrators, teachers and students when they come back to school on Feb. 22nd!

Why not get out of the 'Feb blues' and lend a helping hand for one day or both of the days. The more people we have the more we can do to make Tanner sparkle. Simply email me at rich219@comcast.net to let me know that you (and a friend or family member) are willing to pitch in and help.

Many thanks, Dick

Working in Chicago Public Schools

Since Schools Count Corp was established as an official federal charity in July of 2007, the non-profit has sought to ease the burden on students and families as a result of natural crisis such as hurricanes, earthquakes and spring floods. These natural disasters have taken us to Galveston, TX, New Orleans, Haiti, and Iowa.

While aiding areas, long term, still reeling from these natural disasters, Schools Count feels that assisting children who are without school supplies as a result of economic malaise is just as critical. The economic downturn and inner city blight makes it tough on families, who have to stretch few dollars, to meet lots of daily needs including providing basic school supplies for their children.

Whether children go without because of a violent storm or some other cause, the issue still revolves around helping students get an education. Every student deserves a decent education and if we can help children find success in the classroom, we'll do our best to serve them.

As we go forward in 2011 the goal of Schools Count Corp remains the same...to bring out the best in children. There are few better ways to do that than to assist them in school. Our mission is unchanged..."to tap the vast potential of the human mind" and there's no better way than to help students get the best education possible.

Thanks for your commitment to this cause!
Dick

Upcoming Events

Now that are hugely successful Silent Auction is over I want to fill you in on some upcoming events in the coming weeks. There are plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer or donate to our cause and I hope you will avail yourself of one or more of these.

Feb. 2, 2011: This is the final day that the Hinsdale Central H.S. Junior Class will collect all sorts of school supplies for Curtis Elementary School. The Junior Class will wrap the supplies in Valentines Day paper and we'll deliver them on Feb. 14th!

Feb. 19,20: Painting Tanner Elementary School in Chicago! This is one of the schools we assist in terms of providing supplies to the students. This is an all-day event that our friends at Global Hope are organizing. Let's brighten up the school and put some smiles on the faces of the students and staff.

Feb. 22, 2011: Fourth Annual Hinsdale Central H. S. Mardi Gras Concert. This event is put on by the HC Jazz Ensembles. The lively music will commence at 6:30 pm. As in the past, the concert will be held in high school student cafeteria. Admission is $5 per person and $10 for the entire family.

Feb.-March: This is our annual 'Donor Drive.' This is your opportunity to contribute cash towards students in need in various schools in Chicago and New Orleans. Remember SCC is a charitable organization and, as such, we will provide you with a tax receipt for your donation.

March 18, 2011: The Future Educators of America, along with FCCLA (at Hinsdale Central H. S.), will be hosting a bowling benefit at Willowbrook Lanes (Plainfield Rd.) on Fri. the 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The cost is $25 which includes shoes and 3 games. Why not get in on the fun and support Chicago Public Schools! To be a part of action contact Dick Flesher at rich219@comcast.net.

May 7, 2011: The girls varsity soccer team at HC will put on a car wash to benefit Schools Count. Stop in and give your car a spring cleaning! The car wash will be held in the senior parking lot at HC. Details on the time will be forthcoming in a matter of days!

May-June: This is the time of our 'Go Green' initiative. If you are a teacher at an area school why not collect the supplies left behind by the students and donate them to Schools Count. 30 area schools already participate in the program. We are always looking for new or gently used pens, notebooks, colored pencils, filler paper, scissors, rulers, pencils, and binders. Just let me know that you want to participate in the program and I'll stop by and pick up the supplies.

Aug. 7-9: This is our Sixth Annual delivery of students supplies to 15 - 18 schools in New Orleans. We are always in need of volunteers to help us load trucks and make the journey to New Orleans.

Other events are in the works so be sure to follow the blog so that you can take part.

Many thanks,
Dick

Silent Auction Success!

Just want to give everyone the great news. Schools Count Corp sold nine original Haitian paintings for a grand total of $875.00!! To receive nearly $100.00 per painting speaks to the generosity of so many. To all those who put in a bid and took an interest in our Silent Auction on the Haitian paintings...many thanks! To those who acquired a painting, may you enjoy it for many years to come.

As you know, the funds raised through the Silent Auction will augment the third and final phase of rebuilding IMN School in Darbonne.

The Principal of IMN happens to be in Chicago right now and he is thrilled with the continued support of Schools Count Corp., Kids4Good, and Global Hope. Maxandre, the Principal, reports that the school, with its new clean water system, has more students than ever before! There are over 150 students attending IMN. Why not! With a new building, brand new student supplies, clean water, new creole books and more, it's no wonder the student population is growing and expectations are high.

Thanks again for you support of IMN and Haitians!
Dick

Silent Auction for Haitian Artwork

Note: All bids are updated as of Jan. 12th at 6:00 am. There are just 15 hours left to bid on your favorite painting(s)!

Today, Jan 12th, the 1st anniversary of the Haitian earthquake is at hand. In the spirit of continuing to assist in the rebuilding of IMN School in Darbonne, SCC is holding a Silent Auction on ten Haitian paintings. All proceeds of the Silent Auction will benefit IMN. Schools Count Corp paid $28 for each of the following ten paintings. The auction has been ongoing for the past two weeks and the current bid is noted next to each painting. Should you desire to make a bid simply send me your bid by emailing me at rich219@comcast.net. You have to note just two things in your bid, the amount and the number assigned to each painting. I will update the bids each day on this blogspot. You can go to http://www.schoolscountcorp.blogspot.com/ to check on the bids.

Besides acquiring a wonderful piece of art, you will receive a tax deduction for the difference between the purchase price and what you paid for the painting should you have the highest bid. So, if a winning bid is $110.00 then you would acquire the painting as well as getting a tax deduction for $82 ($110 - $28). All sales are final. Payment is by check only, Payable to Schools Count Corp. Arrangements will be made, agreeable to both SCC and the winning bidder, regarding delivery. The final bid on all paintings is Jan. 12th at 9:00 pm.

All of the paintings are on canvas and are not framed. I did have an Art teacher examine the paintings to determine the type of media used. All of the paintings are signed though some are simply initialed as I will note. Some of the artist signatures are difficult to read and I have done my best to represent them to the best of my ability. All ten of the paintings are shown below.

Please accept my thanks for your interest in the Silent Auction! Dick Flesher






Painting 1, oil on canvas. Artist: Millien. Height 24", Width 20" Current bid: $110.00

Painting 2: Oil on canvas. Signed as G.T. Height 20", Width 23 1/2" Current bid: $120.00












Painting 3: Acrylic on canvas. Artist: Nook (?) Pierre Pierre. Height 24", Width 23 3/4"
Current bid: $75.00
















Painting 4: Mixed media on canvas. Signed with the letter 'G' with vertical lines through the G. Height 24", Width 20" Current bid: $100.00











Painting 5: acrylic on canvas. Artist: S. Auband. Height 20", Width 23" Current bid: $100.00














Painting 6: Acrylic on canvas. Artist: Richard Donnette (spelling?). Height 19", Width 23 1/2"
Current bid: $70.00













Painting 7: Acrylic on canvas. Artist: Elysrra Francisco. Height 17", Width 23 1/2"
Current bid: $100.00











Painting 8: Oil on canvas. Artist: Pichard(?) Bethany. Height 19 1/2", Width 23"


Current bid: $50.00











Painting 9: Acrylic on canvas. Artist: Thony. Height 22 1/2", Width 16"
Current bid: $100.00














Painting 10: Acrylic on canvas. Artist: Bellevue Kender. Height 20", Width 24"
Current bid: $50.00

9 Days to Enter Your Bid!

Imagine this beautiful Haitian painting in your home! This spectacular oil on canvas will surely brighten any room in your house. This original Haitian rendering of Haitian life is 20" (height) by 23 1/2" (width) and is not framed.

The current bid is $100.00.To place a bid simply contact me at rich219@comcast.net.

Not only will your home be adorned with this wonderful piece but the donated funds will help to finish the rebuilding of IMN School in Darbonne, Haiti.

Thanks for your interest in aiding Haitians in need through the silent auction. Schools Count Corp will also provide a charitable tax deduction for the winning bid.

Dick

10 More Days to Bid on Haitian Paintings!

This is painting #1 which currently has a high bid
of $110.00. The Haitian artist is Rony Millien. To see other works of Mr. Millien go to the website http://www.galeriemartelly.com/.

With 10 days to go in the bidding, which coincides with the Jan. 12th earthquake, I wanted to update everyone on the bidding for the 10 Haitian paintings. Please know that all the money raised in the silent auction benefits IMN School in Darbonne, Haiti.

Many thanks! Dick


Painting #1: $110.00
Painting #2: $100.00
Painting #3: $75.00
Painting #4: $100.00
Painting #5: $100.00
Painting #6: $65.00
Painting #7: $75.00
Painting #8: $50.00
Painting #9: $100.00
Painting #10: $50.00