B2S Success ~ It Takes a Community

B2S Graphic.jpg
B2S Graphic.jpg
Bubba_Love_B2S.JPG

Vital Stats

Rachel Ann G

North East, PA

  • people helped1718
  • People Doing It 373

The Problem

I am rallying my community to help supply under-privileged NESD students with back-to-school and personal hygiene supplies to make them excited to go back to school and start their school year successful. I believe that one of the keys to a successful school year is self confidence. When a student feels great about how they look and what they have to start the school year, it is a springboard to increased excitement about their academic year. By showing that their community believes in their potential, I believe they will also believe in their potential and they will strive for academic success. The goal of this event is to provide a means for our entire community to contribute to that success. Each contribution from a single pencil to a backpack full makes a significant difference to the many that are not able to acquire these items. Through the Children’s Fund distribution, students are identified discreetly and then provided with items that meet some of the needs to step into a new school year with confidence.

Plan of Action

Place collection bags inside businesses, clubs, and churches for a two week period. This will perform two key tasks. It will create awareness to the staggering poverty rate our community experiences, and provide much needed supplies, clothing, and personal hygiene items to the Children's Fund which discreetly distributes the items. After the two week collection period (at the height of school supply sales), I will hold a night of collection at our community park. That night filled bags can be brought and turned in and a family-friendly priced dinner can be bought. A local restaurant will be asked to provide and serve the meal and donate a portion of the proceeds to the discretionary funds of the Children’s Fund. Additionally, entertainment for listening pleasure will be provided and a children’s area will be offered for young children.

Project Updates

AMAZINGLY SUCCESSFUL B2S Success

Doing good for those in need, without the need for them to know you did. B2S epitomizes this as the donors were without faces, doing good for the sake of doing good!

There were so many who did just that - and the results were overwhelming.

Special thanks are deserved for the following businesses, organizations, and supporters of B2S.
American Legion Post # 105, Assembly of God, Bay Valley Foods, Bella Salon and Day Spa, Clay Street Laundry, Cheryl Peterson, Church of the Holy Cross, Community Nurses of NE, Curves of North East, DJ Joe Monoski, Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union - TEMCO Branch, Hair Doos by Julie Davis, Jeff Seevers, National Bank of North East, North East Borough Office, North East Chamber, North East Chiropractic Center, North East Moose, North East News Journal, Orton's Fruit Market, Presbyterian Church VBS, Sanders Market, State Farm – the Bob Martin Agency, Sue Travis and all the Park UMC volunteers, The Flower Cart, The Teacher's Apple Basket, Thompson's Fruit Market, Wakley’s Car Care and RV Center and finally all the supporters of the spaghetti dinner and collection drive. While your names are not listed, your loving support is felt by many!

With much love and appreciation, Rachel Ann Gollhardt

This year is shaping up to be an amazing drive. I have made some updates to how you can help - please check out that section!

Businesses that are hosting bags to date include:
Bella Salon and Day Spa
Burch's Fruit Market
CVS of NE
Curves of NE
The Flower Cart
EGEFCU - Temco Branch
Grapevine Laundry
Hair Doos by Julie Davis
NE Boro
NE Chamber
NE Chiropractic Center
NE Moose Lodge
NE News Journal
NE Presbyterian Church
Orton's Fruit Market
Teacher's Apple Basket
Thompson's Fruit Stand
Welch Credit Union

I have appointments with other businesses, as well. I am excited to say that working with the PARK UMC and the committee that SUE TRAVIS helped to form has been amazing. She has created an opportunity for all to come and enjoy a dinner without a charge - for a free will offering only. All donations go to supplying those in need with clothing, shoes, etc...

Do what you can - where you can - when you can!
I just read today a quote that I have heard before and still love...thank you Rachel Julierat, Mrs. United States 2010, for posting this!

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

I am excited to report that we are teaming up our efforts with the NE Clergy Council this year - 2011.

Committee meetings will begin on July 19th at 10AM at Park UMC. Anyone interested in helping me is invited to attend. We will be establishing the foundation for B2S 2011 and Havlife grants for 2011.

The Community Collection Event will be held August 15th at Park UMC. I will be seeking entertainers, volunteers, vendors, etc...

As you shop for yourselves, take advantage of all the great back to school sales, and remember those who cannot!

Oh my was this a Wonderful Turn Out!
We collected 1000's of items.
At first, I was overwhelmed that I just wouldn't be successful. I had tried to do it all on my own, and in the final hours it was a lot of details that without the help of my family and friends, I just couldn't have imagined getting it all done. So many generous people stepped up! I was pleased and disappointed all at once. There was a lot to take to the school that night, but I felt that if I could have reached more in the community somehow, we would have had more to take. Everyone says that for my first year it was a great accomplishment for me.

Many thought that I was an adult already; they were surprised to find "a teen" at the helm of such an under-taking...word out to you all - DO SOMETHING, because you can. Inside of everyone is the strength, ingenuity and power to DO SOMETHING!

Over 100's of students will feel more successful this year because they have things they may not have had...THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME DO SOMETHING!

BUT...please remember that in March when snow is flying and the giving seasons of back to school and Christmas have ended, students are still in need. Their new pencils, crayons, markers, are not new anymore....there BTS clothes no longer fit...they don't have a winter jacket that comes all the way down their arms. Help whenever you can - toys are nice and fun, but going to school everyday because you are not afraid to walk in the bitter winter wind with your warm jacket and mittens - or in your boots that keep your feet dry will lead to a life of success...not a few hours of fun!

Businesses added today include: National Bank of NE, American Legion, North East Borough Office, and calls are out to many possible supporters.

CVS of NE is looking into possible donations, Stetson Borthers is also looking at coming through with donations.

I am having trouble getting in touch with Church offices...that is a set-back...and I have not heard back from a DJ - the music, which I thought was the easiest, is turning into the hardest.

Curves of NE already requested a second bag - go Curves!!!

Graphitti Creations will be donating back packs and lunch packs, thanks for that! AND, my step-sister Jen brought a ton of stuff and is going back to the WFM because she shared my cause and the lady vendor was thrilled to help - love ya, Jen!

Awesome to wake up to generous people!
Thank you Pillowcasegram for including the event in your newsletter. It will be a busy day of visiting businesses...but exciting to get help. Also, will be developing a window display right on Main Street in NE. Thanks to Hair Doos for her generosity! Rolling along...

Awesome Day!
Collection points include; NE Chamber of Commerce, The Flower Cart, Fairchild's, The Teacher's Apple Basket, Pillowcasegram, Hair Doos, Curves of NE, NE News Journal, Erie GE FCU, Immanuel Church, Thompson Farm, Orton's Fruit Market...more to come - busy days, for sure.

Unfortunately - the Banjo Band cannot attend due to too many members on vacations - boo hoo. But, I am talking to other options for entertainment. Summer is a tough time, because most of the churches, organized players, etc...have off from practice. The donations and collection points are adding up quickly - kudos to the businesses in our area. State Farm (the Bob Martin Agency), Curves North East, Orton's Fruit Market, Hair Doos by Julie, they are all willing and excited to help.
The Erie General Electric FCU is also in - and is doing more than I ever imagined. State Farm is beyond my expectation, too! Our entire NEHS Football Cheer Squad has stepped up to run the children's area - GO TEAM!!! I am nervous, but excited - lots of coordination and calls to make, but it is all worthwhile. The NE NEWS JOURNAL is not only a collection point, but is also stepping up with running all the needed articles for the event. So far, costs are manage-able, I just hope we can get entertainment without a fee, and I can get the word out enough through posters, flyers and etc...BTW, printing costs are the most expensive right now.

I received my letter from Borough Council with all the guidelines to running the event on their property - yeah!

I have contacted a few entertainment providers; I am still awaiting confirmation from one main group that I am very fond of - the North East Banjo Band. I sure hope they are able to come and play! I have a few more options as well.

I have received a commitment to donations of brown bags from a local fruit market - Orton's Fruit Market - to attach labels and distribute to the businesses for collection.

I have a commitment from a local restaurant - Three Sails Cafe - mmmm...they will be offering a family friendly menu full of healthy choices at good prices for all to enjoy!

Rolling along...

Go
Education
Homelessness and Poverty

Related Stuff