"Briar Glen Elementary School students spearhead a successful drive to purchase a replacement school bus for fellow students in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina."

Wheaton. IL--"It started with a change drive, proceeds from lemonade stands, doing extra chores around the house, tapping into piggy banks, and a bake sale.  The students, staff, and parents of Briar Glen Elementary all pitched in to help St. Martin Public Elementary School in Biloxi, MS which was ravaged by hurricane Katrina, and lost 29 school buses to the storm.

It has become a community effort, with the Glen Ellyn Kiwanis Club and local businesses joining the children to raise the funds to replace one of those lost school buses.  Other elementary schools have also joined the drive, from Oak Park to Naperville.

On Thursday, October 13, the Jackson County School district in Mississippi is scheduled to take possession of one used, but well-maintained and safe school bus, donated by the school children and members of the DuPage community.

Background

Initially, the idea was to adopt a school and send replacement school supplies to the students.  During a conversation with people on the Mississippi State Department of Education, they were grateful for the gesture, but had more pressing, basic needs.  Many of the buildings were severely damaged or wiped out entirely, and many school buses were totaled.  They did not yet have a need for school supplies until they have a place to hold classes.

The Mississippi State Department of Education indicated that Jackson County School District has the most urgent and greatest need.  They lost 29 school buses in that district, which educates over 8,500 students.  Insurance covered some of the losses, but not at replacement value.  They have total loss of two of their schools.  The description repeated over and over is that in so many areas there is just nothing left.

This is a tangible means for the children to directly help other children who have been placed in their unfortunate situation.  No bureaucracies or middlemen.

"The wheels on the bus go ... to Mississippi!" Get on Board!

All of have been touched by the plight of the people affected by hurricane Katrina.  As a school. we want to do something useful, to reach out, to make a difference, to help children, and to help a community.  After making many inquiries, we believe we have found a great way for our school to directly help other children affected by the storm.

The Mississippi State Department of Education indicated that Jackson County School District has the most urgent and greatest need.  They lost 29 school buses in that district, which educates over 8,500 students.  Insurance covered some of the losses, but not at replacement value.  They have total loss of two of their schools.  The description repeated over and over is that in so many areas there is just nothing left.

We have been in contact with a dealer, Waters Truck & Trailer in Columbus, MS, and they have placed on hold a used school bus that they are willing to sell to us at wholesale cost, and handle all of the paperwork and titling.  This bus is already in Mississippi and meets all of the safety standards of the district.  The school district will send a driver to retrieve the bus, so there are no delivery fees of any kind.  The bus will be used directly for St. Martin Elementary School, a public school, in Biloxi.

We have an idea, now all we need to do is raise the money.

The goal of $12,500 seems like a large amount, but we already have partnered with another school, Willian Beye in Oak Park, and would like to have other schools join, too.  A fund under the name "Mississippi School Bus Fund" has been set up at First Nations Bank in Wheaton. St. Martin Elementary officials are hoping to start school on October 3rd using the high school cafeteria and holding classes in shifts.

At Brian Glen, we are holding a change drive and are asking the children to donate $1 or some loose change if they are able.  Anyone who is willing to write a check should make it out to the Mississippi School Bus Fund.  If you are not comfortable sending a check with your child, please contact Kim Opem or Dr. Jackie Strum at the school office 630/665-7110 to make arrangements, or by mail Briar Glen School/1800 S. Briarcliffe Blvd/Wheaton, IL  60187, or just drop it off at the school in the office.

A big "thank you" to the Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn, which has partnered with us on this project and is willing to match donations up to a total of $5,000.  For donations of $100 or more, they can issue a letter indicating that the donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Checks should be made out to "Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn Foundation" and then write "Mississippi School Bus" in the memo.

If you know of any other schools, organizations, corporations, or individuals that might want to help, please don't hesitate to pass on this information to them or to have them contact Dr. Strum or Kim Opem.  Ideas for other fund raisers are welcome.

This is a tangible means for our children to directly help other children who have been placed in this unfortunate situation.  No bureaucracies or middlemen.  Let's work together to make a real difference for these kids!

Thank You
Your Mississippi School Bus Fund Committee
(This fundraiser approved by the District 89 School Board and sponsored by the Brian Glen PTC)"