August 27-29th

Three years after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and New Orleans, schools remain in need of everything from uniforms to daily supplies to space for classes and activities. That doesn’t even take into account too few teachers and overcrowded classrooms.

Last week, August 27-29, prior to Gustav making landfall, I had the good fortune to deliver 150 pants and polo’s to Murray Henderson Elementary School. To say the least, Ms. Honore was thrilled to receive the uniforms for the children. I noticed a few students in slightly faded tops so the timing was just right.

Across the street from Henderson is William Fischer Elementary, a school which we provided with all sort of aid in early August as well as in the late spring. Schools Count Corp., in our dealings with Fischer, has provided the students with daily essentials, reading books, and uniforms. In the spring we teamed up with AmeriCorps to build bookshelves for thousands of donated books.

As I mentioned at the outset, many needs remain in the wake of Hurricane Katrina let alone Gustav. While at Fischer last week I saw children playing outdoors. They were having a blast pushing one another around on a teacher supply cart. That cart may no longer exist. The thought occurred to me that if students had a number of scooters then more children could play and the teacher would have the use of his/her cart. Volleyball, yes they play it but not in a gym. The children hit balls into an outdoor wall after running up a lumpy grass incline. It seems like they deserve better.

The three-day trip ended with my going to NOLA City Hall to meet the President and Vice President of the City Council. Both Jackie and Arnie thanked our company for our past efforts. In turn, I am pleased to pass along these kudos to you, the volunteers and donors who have done all the work.

In retrospect, I do have one wish after making this trip. I would love to see the ‘officials’ in government witness the children without some of the aforementioned basics. For but a few hours I’d like them to see dilapidated buildings and children fashioning scooters out of teacher carts. It would be well worth their time to see dedicated and competent teachers who are doing are more than anyone gives them credit for. In short, these officials would walk away as I do, on every trip, knowing that more remains to be done for such wonderful people.

Aiding Iowa

Schools Count Corp went into flood stricken Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, Aug. 25th in order to deliver school supplies to Grant Woods Elementary School and other schools devastated by this summers Midwest floods.

The supplies were sent to Cedar Rapids through the outstanding work of Megan LaForte at Clarendon Hills Middle School in Clarendon Hills, IL. Clarendon Hills Middle and a number of other schools in District 181 furnished backpacks loaded with colored pencils, notebooks, binders, loose leaf paper, pencils and much more.

Not only are the Cedar Rapids schools still in need of daily supplies but the larger community has housing and relocation needs that need to be met in an urgent fashion.

I saw first hand the struggle of the community. I witnessed many people living in tents with meager essentials. Many of the houses on the northwest side of the city are still vacant. Trash remains littered on street after street.

Schools Count Corp is committed to continuing to aid the Cedar Rapid school system.
We are looking to get to Cedar Rapids as soon as possible perhaps within the next two weeks.

Though Schools Count Corp’s normal month for soliciting for funds is in the month of April, we are asking those interested in aiding the Cedar Rapids school children to send a special one-time check for any amount so that we can aid the children as they return to the classroom.

Checks should be made payable to Schools Count Corp and sent to Dick Flesher, 219 Brookside Lane, A, Willowbrook, IL. 60527

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

We will post more information and pictures from our recently completed trip to NOLA. First and foremost we want to thank all the donors, see our website for a complete list of those who have helped with both physical items as well as monetary donations. We also want to thank those who helped us execute the large initiative this week.

From Chicago: Anna Albrecht, Kristen Bronke, Dick Flesher, John Hill, Megan LaForte, Dawn Oler, and Joe Prieto.

From NOLA: C. J. Aucoin, Rev. Deschner, Spencer Didriksen, Severin Didriksen, Dalton Howard, Helen Howard, Mel Howard, Nell Howard, Happy Johnson, Aaron Lob, Stuart Lob, Derin McLeod, Virginia Ruffin, Trent Strasburg, and Maureen Toolan

A BIG Thank YOU to all the area schools...

The following schools helped collect used and unused school supplies at the end of the 07-08 school year. Not only will this allow us to distribute the supplies to needy children in New Orleans, but it kept all of it out of the landfill! Thank you!

Beebe Elementary

Butler Junior High

Clarendon Hills Middle School

Clayton Public Schools, WI

Downers Grove South H.S.

Eagle Point Elementary

Elmwood Elementary

Glenbard West H.S.

Hinsdale Central H.S.

Hinsdale South H. S.

Kennedy Jr. High

Kingsley Elementary

Lincoln Way East H.S.

Lockport H.S.

Maercker Elementary

Mokena Elementary

Mokena Intermediate

Naperville Central H.S.

Riverside Brookfield H.S.

Walker Elementary

Westview Middle School

York High School

Loading Semi's Bound for NOLA!

On Thursday, July 24th, Dick Flesher, Dawn Oler, Maddie Oler, Mary Kate Zoetvelt, Myles Laffey Jr., Myles Laffey Sr., Mike LaForte, Megan LaForte, Dave DiTomasso, Lindsey DiTomasso, John Hill, Laura Milas, Corky King, Skyler King, and Linda Hurt helped pallet, wrap and load 2 semi's full of school supplies and instruments. This will result in approximately 2 pallets per school when we deliver them August 11th and 12th!

Thank you to all the schools and donors that made this possible.

Please see the video clip and slideshow from loading day.

Imagine doing this 20+ times!

A Busy Time...

What a busy week it has been for Schools Count Corp. We received a generous donation toward school uniforms and were able to purchase 168 shirts and 369 pairs of pants! These items were split between three different schools. Students must have uniforms in order to attend school in New Orleans, so these uniforms are usually handed out by Social Workers and Registrars who know of situations where the lack of a uniform may prevent a student from attending school. Some other items we have collected in the past include socks and underwear.