Branche a Hit at Appreciation Dinner

Four and one-half years after Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Banneker's talented Principal, Cheryllyn Branche, brought her message of hope, revival and thanks to one hundred and five donors and volunteers at the Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 26th.

To hear Cheryllyn was a treat in itself as donors and volunteers got to hear, first hand, the problems and issues facing schools and those, like Cheryllyn, who operate the schools. Cheryllyn discussed funds which have not yet found their way to NOLA, overcrowding, the confusion created with a myriad number of types of schools, and the issue of state testing which has a number of ramifications.

To say that Cheryllyn is optimistic in light of state wide and city wide challenges is an understatement. Her assessment of Banneker's needs, the care with which she attends to her staff and student needs, and her willingness to give her all in the name of public education was made abundantly clear. To a person, those in attendance found a person who was humble, able to articulate current problems and had a sense of where she wanted to take Banneker. Those in attendance heard a person who is optimistic and willing to tackle the problems at hand.

Many walked away from the dinner with a sense that what they had contributed to Banneker, and other NOLA schools, has indeed been put to good use. Since that evening a number of donors and volunteers have contributed more funds to Schools Count. Two families were so moved by Cheryllyn's words of hope that they have pledged to go to New Orleans in 2010!!

One thing is certain, our commitment and concern for Banneker and her students remains strong.

What a night! What a lady!

Dick Flesher

Kickers Score Big With KiKK

It all started back on August, 29 2005. That's not just the day that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, it's also the point at which the Hinsdale Central H. S. boys soccer squads joined in the effort to help rebuild New Orleans and the schools.

The boys continued to aid the city's schools by hosting the third annual KIKK (Kick It In For Katrina Kids) fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th. To say that the event was a success is an understatement!

Led by seniors Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell, the soccer-tennis competition raised in excess of $2,000.00!! True, the rain cut off the heated competition at the semi final stage but, no worries, all had a great time.

The day was a whopping success on all fronts. Not only did the soccer players come up with such a fantastic amount of cash donations, they were able to enjoy knocking the ball back and forth between friends. Where else could you go on a Sunday afternoon and receive a free t-shirt (compliments on Hinsdale Bank and Trust), have some pizza (Domino's), enjoy some great music, have a refreshing water/gatorade, and help a great cause?

The jury may still be out with respect to the final victor in the soccer-tennis competition but the entire HC soccer program can know that they have won a championship when it comes to aiding those in need.

Kudos to all the players, parents, and patrons who made this day so successful and memorable.

Many thanks,
Coach Flesher

Schools Count Corp Cares!

By the very nature of our company's name, Schools Count, its pretty obvious that our organization; its donors, volunteers, affiliated non-profits, and recipients care deeply about young people. Going a step further, we seek to enable students to have the resources available, on a daily basis, so that they can enjoy success in the classroom while having a pleasant overall experience in the process.

That is exactly why we provide not only supplies for use in day-to-day classroom work but we also provide gear for athletics, games for rainy days, resources for recess, and instruments for music programs. Our aim is to provide for a students total educational experience.

There are far too many public schools in this country, whether because of disasters or tough economic times, that aren't able - through no fault of their own - to fully meet the needs of their students.

And that's where Schools Count Corp comes in. Public schools have always been fundamental to the success of individuals, the communities in which they reside, and the larger American society. A decent public education must be afforded every child in the United States. Schools Count Corp. will do its part to help realize this right and, in turn, and the dreams of each person.

Many thanks for your continued support!!!


Dick Flesher
President

HC Boys Soccer Readies for KIKK

What team will be crowned the 2009 KIKK (Kick It In For Katrina Kids) Champion in Hinsdale Central's annual soccer-tennis fundraiser? We'll soon know as the players take to the court next Sunday, September 20th at the Hinsdale Central H. S. tennis courts. The competion begins at 2:00 pm and the champion will be crowned by 5:00 pm.

This unique game sees teams of 2-3 players playing in a group format, like the World Cup, with each team guaranted to play in three matches. After this early phase of soccer-tennis, heading or kicking the soccer ball over the net, the competition moves in single elimination phase.

Players pay a minimal registration fee to play in the event with all the proceeds going to Schools Count Corp. The funds are used to purchase supplies for Illinois and Chicagoland schools, as well as those in New Orleans, in need of various resources.

Kudos to Hinsdale Bank and Trust in Hinsdale for providing the funds to purchase t-shirts. Every participant in the KIKK competition receives a free t-shirt. Thanks Kramer's!! Your support is appreciated.

Come on out and enjoy the day and root for your favorite player. Let the fun begin!!

Dick Flesher

HC Volleyball Hits It Big!!

Yesterday, the Hinsdale Central Girls Volleyball Team made as big of an impression off the court as they have on the court so far this campaign. In case you don't know it, the Red Devils are off to a 2-0 start to their season. Coming off their latest victory over Fenwick on Friday, Aug. 28th, the Red Devils took to the senior park lot the very next day to sponsor a carwash which benefits Schools Count Corp.

And what a carwash it was!!!! In just four hours the girls took in an astonishing $1010.00!! That's right, $1010.00! The morning started off a little slow but by 10:00 am there were anywhere from four to six cars waiting to be washed. Mind you, this wasn't just an ordinary car wash. The girls climbed step ladders to wash the roofs of SUV's, washed cars thoroughly (sometimes that doesn't happen!), hand dried them and washed windows if the donors so requested.

This is our first fundraiser heading into 2010 and I couldn't be more pleased with the effort the girls put forth. Besides that, it looked as though the girls enjoyed themselves! If this is any indicator of the success that Schools Count Corp will have in raising funds, and the fortunes of the girls on the court in the '09 volleyball season, then we'll both surely reap some huge rewards.

Thanks girls!!!

Mission Accomplished!

On Friday, August 7th, nearly 30 volunteers arrived at our Mokena home to load trucks bound for Katrina ravaged schools in New Orleans. Beginning at 7:30AM they helped palletize, wrap and load 70 pallets worth of used and new school supplies and equipment for 23 New Orleans public schools. We filled two 53’ semi’s, a 26’ and 22’ rental trucks. By 4PM when we finished, everything was sorted by school and loaded. We want to thank the generous donors including the local schools for their assistance in collecting used items and keeping them out of landfills.

A big thank you goes out to Berkot’s for their assistance and to the following who assisted on the 7th: Sarah Steinke, Peggy Lutter, Hanna McClard, Eileen O’Donoghue, Zack and Denise McClard, Jake and Zack Davy, John Hill, Kyle and Rodger Rottmann, Chris Wilbur, Laura Milas, Liz and Lexi Oreluk, Linda Hurt, Dylan Canavan, Justin and Kelly Cronin, Timur Akman-Duffy, Steve Eich, Bill Zoetveldt, Carol and Kurt Smith, Ed Lynch, Nancy Schussler, Marcus Lindsey, and Ethan, Jaelynn and Valerie Ruth.

The commitment and support we have received allowed us, L. Serwat (Hinsdale), B. Feldman (Lemont), K. Parks (Cedar Lake, IN), A. & S. Hardenbol (Houston, TX), and several volunteers from the New Orleans area, to deliver these supplies to help over 10,000 children start the school year off with basic supplies. Not only were we able to deliver pens, pencils, notebooks, binders, folders, etc. but generous donations of textbooks, music instruments, and school uniforms also made their way into the hands of the students.

Following our return, additional supplies were donated to Kellar School in Robbins, IL. Again, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of those around us as we continue to aid those less fortunate. Thank you, Schools Count Corp., Dick Flesher

See you on Friday!

Thanks to all the volunteers who responded, we are looking forward to seeing you on Friday to help sort, palletize and load. As we speak we are still out picking up supplies your generous donations have made possible for purchase. We couldn't do this without you!

Our deliveries to New Orleans schools will be next week and we will be delivering to over 20 schools. We have been contacted by an RSD curriculum coordinator who we have worked with before, she is looking for textbooks for Algebra, Biology and Environmental Science. So we have been searching the area and were able to "rescue" some textbooks from SCARCE in Glen Ellyn. So in addition to school supplies we are delivering 2 pallets of textbooks as well as band instruments and weight lifting equipment! Additionally, we purchased over 100 games which were requested by schools for students on days when they cannot go outside for recess.

Thank you all for all your help and hard work. This week we have purchased and boxed over 200 school uniforms, made delivery schedules, contacted schools, contacted volunteers, made signs for pallets, picked up games and boxed and labeled those, prepared receipts for the schools. So much going on!