Several times a year, our geographically dispersed Rotary club embarks on a virtual service project, to serve the world together, separately. As the school year approaches (in the northern hemisphere, at least), families are preparing for a new school year. And in each of our communities, some families struggle to afford school supplies for their children.
Now through August 31, you, as a Global Traveler, can find ways to donate in your community or partner with other Rotary Clubs and/or other organizations in your community (think schools, teachers, libraries, merchants-many have opportunities to either donate $ or buy pre-made packs of supplies, etc).
Here are some suggestions for WHERE to donate supplies:
- Google where to donate schools supplies near me
- Call your local school district and ask them how/what to donate supplies
- Watch merchants/stores in your area – if you go into the section where supplies are being sold, often there is an area accepting/suggesting how to donate
- Consider gift cards for teachers to buy what they need for their classroom
- Check with your local library – they may have suggestions/needs
- Is there a reading program in your local school? Partner with volunteer readers as they are very aware of what is missing from the classroom
Share your participation! Our social meeting team is eager to share pictures of our club members shopping for supplies or delivering them. (Be careful not to include kids in the pictures unless you have parents’ permission.)
Submit your photos to smithcatherine1955@gmail.com ASAP so others can see what you are doing to make this challenge successful! Be creative – share your success with the club!
Better yet, use IGNITE to take a “Service Selfie” and record your participation. Check out this article for instructions.
Donating to Our Operation School Supply! Fund
Perhaps you don’t have the time or ability to shop for school supplies. Or you have no idea where to bring supplies. Or, you want to provide supplies for students in one of the international communities our club has served.
We’ve created a special fund just for you. You can donate online to our Operation School Supply! Fund. We’ll report back to the club in the fall on our plans for using these funds.
