From Edison School with Gratitude

November 18, 2004

Dear Members of the First Presbyterian Church,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for the many very generous donations of school supplies and clothing. You just keep giving and giving! It seems like almost every day one of your members comes in with donations of snacks, clothing, and school supplies. This is really heartwarming. I have heard so many happy comments from the children when they got the school supplies and seen their relieved expressions when they find out we do have new changes of clothing for them if accidents happen.

As you have probably heard, our students are leading the pack in Kalamazoo on test scores. I believe this is due in part to the many hours of tutoring provided for our children by you. You have really gone out of your way in extending a helping hand to our students.

Thank you, again, for everything you do for our students at Edison. The school supplies are really needed by many of our students, and they are very happy to be able to have their very own stuff. This would not be possible without the help of the members of your church. Please know how much you kindness is appreciated by all students.

Warmest regards,

Chuck Tansey
Principal

Edison Project

Every week this fall, we have been delivering school supplies, some clothing, and classroom treats to the children of our Edison School Project because of your generous contributions. If you would like to help in some way, we can find something that will meet your schedule. Please call either Joyce Petro (342-6817) or Carol Payne Smith (388-2278) to learn more.

Our tutors help in many different ways. One First Presbyterian family is sharing in Thanksgiving by purchasing some special resources for the science room, which does not have any funding this year because the grant has expired. You might consider sharing your Christmas blessings by donating to the Edison Project for the greenhouse or for science projects, resources, or field trips. One of our volunteers, Kay Vermeulen, honored her friend who was retiring by providing a scholarship to summer camp at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art and taking an Edison child to and from the KIA on Saturdays. Ruth Moser, a volunteer who has been with the Edison Project for four years, has been working with a Latino girl all four years. The child’s mother does not read or speak English, so Ruth purchased Peter Rabbit in Spanish so that the child could read to her mother. The child said, “Is the book for me?” She shared with Ruth that her family wouldn’t have a Christmas tree because they had no money. If you ask our tutors, “Who benefits most from helping at Edison?”, the responses are overwhelmingly consistent - WE benefit by helping those with so little when we have so much. Please join us in this important outreach program.

Past news.....

With over 100 volunteers signed up to assist in some way in the Edison School Project, we have begun orientation meetings at the school to meet the new principal, Chuck Tansey, and to receive assignments. Mr. Tansey is enthusiastic and dedicated to helping each child achieve as well as finding ways the school can assist the neighborhood in its improvement efforts.

We learned that 98% of the families are below the poverty level and that 30% of the children are homeless at some time during the year. One problem we are trying to solve is that these children’s parents can’t send treats to the school for their children’s birthdays, and we all know how important that is. The children hide their disappointment, but we want them to be special on their special day. Kay Vermeulen solved this with one class last year by hosting a birthday party each month for the children who had had birthdays during that month. We would like to find people who would provide cupcakes or a birthday cake for those children who can’t provide treats, and we will freeze these goodies until they are needed.

We have an URGENT need for either navy or tan sweat pants in sizes 4 - 8 for the little ones who still have accidents and containers of personal deodorant for the classrooms that are studying personal hygiene. If you signed up to purchase school supplies, please consider helping fulfill this request. Those who signed up to make or buy treats for the children will be contacted as soon as teachers indicate when and what they would prefer.

If you would like to volunteer in some way or have questions, please call either Joyce Petro or email or Carol Payne Smith. We can use EVERYONE.