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Youngstown schools give back to donors
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
It takes more than papers and books, chalk and pencils to educate children.
“You were invited here today because you are our lifeline,” Martha Bruce, city schools’ Adopt-a-School liaison, said Tuesday at an appreciation luncheon.
The group gathered at the Croatian Home included individuals, organizations and business that contribute money, time, services or materials to help the city schools.
Donors can adopt a school or a teacher to help.
Donnell Ford, for example, has been part of the program for 30 years, Bruce said.
“They donate $1,000 to Williamson [Elementary School] every month,” she said.
Taylor Kia of Boardman is marking its third year in the program.
Bill Burns, Taylor Kia’s manager, told the group that the dealership donates a portion of its sales to area organizations, including the Rich Center for Autism, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and Youngstown’s Adopt-a-School program.
The dealership adopted William Holmes McGuffey Elementary School.
Students from Chaney’s Visual and Performing Arts program and Faith Bulatko, a third-grader at McGuffey, entertained attendees with songs and poems.
Chaney student LaRayja Hill read a poem she penned.
Bruce said about 70 groups or organizations are part of the program, providing coats for children, furniture, washing machines and dryers, school uniforms, scholarships and holiday treats for the children and schools.
The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown marked its 11th year with the program.
John Schinker said a teacher called the group seeking help with a garden at Paul C. Bunn Elementary School.
The teacher “did such a good job, we gave her $1,000,” he said.
The relationship continues.
Samie Winick, who retired a few years ago as a Bunn teacher, continues to help with the garden.
She said it incorporates lessons for students in math, reading, science and other core subjects. They have to use math to measure out the plantings, for example.
Schinker believes that by taking care of a garden, students learn discipline that they can use in their studies.
“A garden needs things done at a certain time,” he said. “You develop a habit of doing things when they need to be done.”
Lynn Phillips of L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home said the funeral home’s involvement with the program began several years ago. Initially, it was a scholarship named for Lehman E. Black, who started the business.
Then the funeral home partnered with the Oakhill Athletic Club to provide two $1,000 scholarships for city schools students.
A few years ago, the club had to drop out of the partnership when it could no longer afford the donation. Now the funeral home provides two $500 Lehman E. Black Memorial Scholarships that continue for two years.
“We’re still trying to support Youngstown City Schools,” Phillips said.
It’s a way for the business to give back to the community and help some students, she said.
“There are so many talented students, and we have wonderful things going on in the schools,” Phillips said.