THE North Delta Rotary Club started its Magic Pencil Program two years ago to help financially struggling Delta families cover the back-to-school costs for their children. The goal of the program, originally started with a Delta Community Foundation’s Community Prosperity fund grant, was to ensure that all North Delta elementary school children had access to school supplies.
As over 300 North Delta families struggle to feed their school children, there was a clear need to assist these families further.
The Magic Pencil Program is a collaboration between the staff of Delta School District #37 and the North Delta Rotary Club. Magic Pencil provides an annual fund for North Delta elementary and secondary schools so that teachers can purchase supplies on behalf of children.
Kirsten Hermanson of the Delta School District says: “We extend our sincere thanks to the North Delta Rotary Club and its donors, for its Magic Pencil Program. This initiative is making a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of students and their families. By ensuring that Delta children have essential school supplies and warm winter clothing, Magic Pencil is helping to remove barriers to student learning and in supporting their dignity, confidence, and well-being”.
A Delta school teacher attests to the value of the program: “The funding that is used to purchase school supplies for underprivileged students is so appreciated! These students are often the ones who not only don’t have the cool backpacks, pencil box or markers that others have, they don’t have any at all. Having a small supply closet from which they are allowed to “shop” for the necessities is not only a boost to their self-esteem, but it provides the necessary items for learning. The students beam with pride when they are allowed to select the required items and then have them to use each day. Thank you for funding!”
“The Magic Pencil fundraising chair, Shawn Gold, stated he is deeply thankful to our passionate local donors, including those who supported our 50/50 fundraising raffle; and for the grants received from the Delta Community Foundation and the City of Delta. With their support, we have been able to help hundreds of children in need and are able to expand the Magic Pencil program to include winter clothing,” says the North Delta Rotary Club.
To date, volunteers have contacted six North Delta elementary schools, asking for the clothing needs for 10 children per school. Winter and wet weather clothing includes jackets, footwear, sweatpants and sweatshirts, in different sizes. After the clothing is brought to each school, children in groups of two or three quietly visit a classroom and pick out clothing and boots to bring home. Later this spring, Magic Pencil volunteers will evaluate the program, make changes as required, and launch the program on a larger scale next autumn.
The Rotary Club of North Delta says it’s proud to be able to contribute to the success of the students in the Delta School District.
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