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DESK drives to fill student needs
 Big
ideas are often born from the smallest inspiration. Just think where
Michelangelo would have been without basic brushes and paint.The
volunteers at Donate Educational Supplies for Kids (DESK) are finalizing
the s c h o o l s u p p l y drive on June 17, with a final push
on July 22. Donation baskets are set up at small businesses all
around the Golden Triangle, including Bath Junkie, McDonald's and
Texas State Bank, Beaumont.
"We are collecting basic school supplies like pencils, markers,notebook
paper and folders.You can also donate money,which will be used for
vouchers. That way, students will be able to purchase items beyond
the basics," said DESK Executive Director Jennifer Phillips.
Phillips, who was in mid-preparation for her wedding, set for the
next morning, was more than happy to discuss the campaign and the
attention it deserves. Available to Southeast Texas students, from
Kindergarten through eighth grade on 104 campuses in seven counties,
DESK will assist more than 30,000 children based on the number applying
for free and reduced-price lunches.
"It is wonderful, but we will not be able to fully assist
every child in need. On average, it costs $25 per child to supply
just the basics for the beginning of the year," she said.
Children in need of school supplies is nothing new. In fact, DESK
is in its 13thannual fundraising year. Texas State Bank and McDonald's
are selling mobiles for a $1 donation. The Texas State Bank branch
on Lucas alone has sold more than 3,000 mobiles and all of the branches
combined sold more than 20,000 mobiles last year, according to bank
officials.
The program was founded in 1994, originally to provide supplies
to students in elementary school. It recently was expanded to include
students through the eighth grade in Jefferson, Hardin and Orange
counties, and the cities of Winnie, Anahuac, Deweyville, High Island,
Evadale, Buna, Kirbyville and Jasper.
More than $75,000 was raised in 2005 through school penny drives
($7000), a golf tournament at the Tiki Beach Bar and Grill ($2700),
a bowl-a-thon at Crossroads Bowling Center, and donation baskets.
DESK is a non-profit all-volunteer group. Program sponsors are
The Beaumont Enterprise, McDonald's, Texas State Bank, Wal-Mart,
Coca-Cola, KBMT 12, and Clear Channel Radio. All donations are tax
deductible. Go to Bath Junkie or one of the above businesses to
donate,.Go to their web site at deskprogram.com or call 838-2002
for more information.
http://www.beaumontjournal.com/news/2006/0614/Front_Page/003.html
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