Teachers of the Dayton area’s neediest students getting help

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Lacy Neal (left) and Ashley Pettigrew put together school supplies at Crayons to Classrooms, a nonprofit organization that provides school supplies to teachers of low-income students.

Staff photo by Jim Noelker Lacy Neal (left) and Ashley Pettigrew put together school supplies at Crayons to Classrooms, a nonprofit organization that provides school supplies to teachers of low-income students.

Crayons to Classrooms provides students with learning tools by giving supplies to teachers.

By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 12:57 AM Thursday, August 20, 2009

DAYTON — Hazel Wills is accustomed to reaching into her own pocket to buy school supplies for her fourth- and fifth-graders at Belle Haven Elementary School. Comes with the job, she and most teachers say.

But these days, Wills doesn’t have to dig as deep, thanks to Crayons to Classrooms, a nonprofit organization that provides free school supplies — everything from pencils to protractors — to teachers of the Dayton area’s neediest students.

“Crayons to Classrooms has been a blessing,” said Wills, who said it’s common for her to spend up to $600 a year on supplies for her Belle Haven students at 4401 Free Pike.

Located in the Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley warehouse at 1511 Kuntz Road, Crayons to Classrooms opened as a pilot project in January this year with start-up money from the Mathile Family and Dayton foundations. The store served eight area schools, but is broadening its reach this year to 23 schools in Dayton, Northridge, Jefferson Twp. and Trotwood, said Executive Director Steve Rubenstein.

Rubenstein said the goal is to serve 85 Dayton area schools where more than 70 percent of the students live at or below the poverty line.

But the store can grow only as large and fast as public support — donated cash and supplies — can take it, he said.

Cheryl Owens, principal of The Gardendale Academy at 1733 N. Gettysburg Ave., said her teachers have visited the store twice this year.

“Not a day goes by that some little hand doesn’t touch or hold a learning tool that came from the store,” she said.

Those wishing to donate to the store can drop supplies in barrels at area Kroger stores through August. Otherwise, call (937) 528-6400 or visit www.dc2c.org.

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