Some 1,500 School DI recently reviewed comments from teachers who “shopped” at United Way’s free Teacher Resource Center this school year. Honestly, I expected there to be some nice comments, but I didn’t expect what I found.

Some talked about students responding to their new school supplies by saying it was “better than Christmas.” Others told stories of tattered backpacks replaced by new ones, or shared life changing stories like the following:

“One student told me that he sleeps in a room with eigh other people, and he is now able to read at night with his new book light.”

“My student was recently placed in foster care and was not doing her homework. We offered a new blanket, pencils and notebook, not only for homework, but to write down her thoughts each night. Two years later, that student told me that she still has the blanket and notebook, and they were her safety net while in foster care.”

“I had a child who wasn’t doing homework. I later found out that a family health crisis was preventing his mom from buying basic school supplies. Once the supplies went home, homework was done and the child thrived academically.”

“I gave a fuzzy sports blanket to a student and a thin sheet. He was so excited that there were tears in his eyes as he said, ‘Now I will be warm at night.’” That last teacher concluded by thanking United Way’s donors for making such a difference in her student’s life. In her words, “Little things can mean a lot to a student.” Last year, 1,200 teachers from 53 schools in low-income neighborhoods across the Inland Empire received School Tools for their students.

This summer and fall, we need residents to join us by donating pens, colored pencils, notebook paper, and backpacks to help more local kids to succeed academically and reach for a brighter future.

Please join us by hosting a supply drive with your church, employee group, sports team, or school. More information can be found at www.IEUW.org/host-a-drive.