Retired Teacher Make Sure Kids Start the Year Right With Backpacks, Supplies

Retired District 200 teacher and administrator Dr. Lori Belha knows how impact the first day of school can have on a child.
 
For those who know Belha, they know she has a knack for rallying people behind a cause. This school year, she decided to make sure that at least 1,500 kids in the central DuPage area were ready on their first day of school.

About 25 percent of District 200 students are in the free and reduced lunch program, Belha said.

"So we really need to make sure kids start off the year with supplies," she said, "They need to have the equal opportunity (to start the year) positive and happy."

With the help of other local service groups and businesses like the Central DuPage A.M. Rotary, Fifth Third Bank in Warrenville, the Give Back Club, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Warrenville, the Wheaton Rotary Club has purchased 1,500 backpacks for kids in need. In turn, the Wheaton Rotary will provide 850 backpacks to the Humanitarian Service Project, 400 to the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Backpack Drive, and 150 to the churches of Warrenville. Belha’s church, Trinity Lutheran, has committed to fill the remaining 100 bags with at least ten school supply items.

and Target also contribute to the effort, Belha said. Carlson provides all supplies at cost, said Belha. After "selling season" is over, she said Target will donate items.

Supplies needed most for the backpack drive include:

• Large backpacks
• Trapper keepers
• Pens and pencils
• Pocket folders
• Paper
• Spiral notebooks
• Flash drives and,
• Calculators

Cash donations are also accepted.

For a list of dropoff locations, visit the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce website.

“Every teacher knows that the first day of school is very important for each student," said Belha. "To have a backpack filled with school supplies is just one way that we can help a student begin a positive and happy journey throughout the school year.” 

While Belha has a past life as a teacher and administrator, she lives and breathes her current life of service to others in her community. When she isn’t attending Wheaton Rotary meetings (where she is president-elect), she is either cutting grass for her church in Warrenville, volunteering at District 200 schools testing students, or organizing fellow District 200 retirees to participate in the “Give Back Club,” a group Belha formed after she retired in 2011. Belha insists that she’s enjoying her retirement because, “when you are truly doing what you love to do, it isn’t work.”

As Belha reflects on being able to “pull off” getting the 1,500 backpacks she remarks that, “It is so gratifying and fulfilling to work with both the Rotary club members and Give Back Club members who have the same passion for helping others that I have. The needs in our community continue to grow and I am blessed to have the time and energy to help in many different projects. I have met a lot of other people who have the same vision to coordinate and organize volunteers who can help in so many ways. We would welcome anyone who wants to join us and volunteer.”

Information courtesy of a press release from Wheaton Rotary.