Williamsville Courier/ Friday, October 24, 2014
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-WILLIAMSVILLE-
OCTOBER 24, 2014
Combating financial needs in the classroom, one school at a time By Anna Cappello COURIER INTERN
Four-hundred and eighty five. According to a recent national survey, this is the average amount of money that teachers spend on school supplies and classroom materials out of their own pockets each year. But what if there was a program that allowed school teachers to shop for supplies without paying a single cent? The good news is such a program does exist and it’s called The Teachers Desk. This organization was founded by John Mika who, after working 30 years at GM and as a substitute teacher at Williamsville Public School, was driven to help the community. He specifically wanted to give students in need tools for education. “I just saw the incredible difference between what kids in the city schools don’t have and what kids in suburbs do have” Mika said. The Teachers Desk, set up like an officesupply store, allows teachers to shop for classroom necessities like paper, pencils, glue and children’s books. Other organizational supplies such as binders and folders
This nonprofit organization could not be possible without these volunteers. are available as well for no charge. A grand total of $200,000 in free school supplies is distributed on a weekly basis. Reaching out to 84,000 students annually throughout Western New York, this ministry is more than ready to combat any financial problems in the classroom. “We have about 150 schools all the way from Salamanca to Ripley and pretty much everywhere in between” Mika said. “And we are always looking for more schools.” Any school that has 70 percent or greater
student participation in the National School Lunch Program, Mika stated, is eligible to shop at The Teachers Desk. Each teacher receives $900 on average in free supplies for their classroom. Does your school meet the requirements and want to be registered? If the answer is yes, call 716-348-3412 or email shopping@ theteacherdesk.org to receive aid from Mika and his team of genuine volunteers who are ready to provide support for students in need. This nonprofit
organization could not be possible without these volunteers, Mika explained, and there is always room for more help. A simple email to volunteer@ theteachersdesk.org can incorporate you into a program striving to make a difference in the Buffalo area. “It’s good for families, for high school kids in need of volunteer hours, and for retired adults as well” Mika stated. The Teacher’s Desk is located at 22 Northampton St. in Buffalo.
CIRCULATION 7,574
Dragonfly Studio & Salon to host Artisan Show Dragonfly Studio & Salon, located at 8290 Main St. in Williamsville, will be hosting an Artisan Show from noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13. Members of local businesses and area residents are cordially invited to attend. Along with full hair, skin, nail and spa services, this one-of-a-kind business houses a fine art photography studio as well as a boutique featuring jewelry, hair accessories, paintings and other works by local artists. The Artisan Show will offer affordable holiday gifts andone-of-a-kind treasures. Refreshments, hors
d’oeuvres, door prizes and special discounts on salon services and products will be offered. In lieu of admission, the salon will be collecting donations for the Clarence Community Food Pantry. Nonperishable food and personal care items will be gratefully accepted. Dragonfly Studio & Salon is owned and operated by Sarah and Mak Mansouri. Salon hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The salon is closed on Sunday.
Living Well offers coach training
Living Well, an interfaith and community collaborative that helps seniors, adults and teens, is offering “coach training” opportunities for anyone interested in providing emotional and spiritual support to those they provide care for, plus well-researched practical advice on multiple topics. Coaches will be trained to help friends, families and co-workers and to volunteer for organizations providing medical, emotional, spiritual and social services. In the eight-session course, Living Well Coach Training provides information on topics including stress management, coping with hospitalizations, prayer, forgiveness,
end of life concerns, aging, caregiving, abuse, bullying and more. This free program begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Christ United Methodist Church, 350 Saratoga Rd., Amherst. For more information or to register call 8392360 or visit www.ChooseToLiveWell.org. Living Well is an interfaith and community collaborative led by a partnership between the Upper New York United Methodist Conference and the ELCA Lutheran Synod through their older adult ministries. Its goal is to encourage family members to support each other in acts of devotion, workshop, justice and compassion.