ROC Ripples – 8.6.18

Remember how special it felt to begin a new school year — a fresh start, new clothes and shoes, maybe a new haircut, too.

And then there were all the new school supplies — ripping open the packaging and arranging them neatly in your new backpack for the first day of school.

For our ROC families, this isn’t how the school year begins. Last year, it cost on average $650 to fully purchase the supply list of just one elementary school child. For our families, there isn’t any money for school supplies or backpacks, let alone new clothes or shoes.

But your kindness and generosity, and the kindness and generosity of the East Hill Foundation, has changed that for so many children living below the poverty line.   You have been there for these families and their children and because of you the numbers have steadily grown.  Thanks to your support, the ROC has provided new backpacks and school supplies for the last nine years. From 2016 to 2017, your donations prepared 127% more children for school.

You made all the difference to Joe, a single dad raising five children after his wife passed away. Spending $650 for school supplies is completely out of reach for one child, much less five. And Mary, a single grandmother raising her two grandchildren, doesn’t have enough money for two new backpacks — their old ones lost in the shuffle to grandma’s house — not to mention school supplies.

Your generosity gives these kids so more than just school supplies; these children feel you care. The ROC’s Back-to-School party provides free haircuts, school pictures and eye exams, along with science activities and so much more. You can just imagine the smiles on the kids’ faces as they look in the mirror at their new haircut and fill their new backpacks with the supplies they need to have a successful school year … all because of you!

With your commitment and support, this year will be even better! We could not do what we do without you!

Frank Cerny
Executive Director