by Ernest Smartt

Created on: April 20, 2009   Last Updated: April 25, 2009

"Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others." Barbara Bush

If you are thinking about ways that you can donate school supplies to a classroom in need, you have a wide variety of ways to make that happen. Personal donations of money or specific school supplies is the easiest and fastest way to accomplish your mission to help a class. You will also discover that volunteering your time in the PTA or PTO can prove to be very helpful as they prepare fundraisers, and plan how to use the funds for specific needs. You might have the energy to start a fundraiser yourself, and recruit a few volunteers to help you. It is a lot of work, but you will find the staff to be very open to helping you, and you will easily find out what the needs are. Classroom needs may include teaching help, drama, art, or many other areas where you might have some special skills. You can offer your talent, and at the same time meet needs for the classroom.

The simplest way to make a donation to the school or classroom of your choice is to go to the school and find out what those needs are, and then go out and get the supplies yourself. This will require meeting with the administrator, and a few teachers, and offer to help. That will help you establish a relationship that will open doors to your generosity. In one simple visit you will be able to discover what the needs are, where they are, and you will be able to develop a plan for meeting the need. The most difficult way is to call the school board, or District office and ask how you can make a contribution. The difference? Red Tape! Schools gladly accept school supply donations that are brought to them.

You will also find a wide open door if you go to the PTA or PTO. They are always seeking ways to obtain supplies for their schools. By speaking to these organization leaders you may develop a greater resource than you had in mind. Rather than just offering what you can give, you can offer some time, and a helping hand in organizing a school supply donation drive in the community, or some other plan. This will multiply your personal donation, and at the same time involve the community. This method also avoids a lot of "red tape."

There are businesses all over most cities who have pencils, erasers, rulers, and other small school supplies to give away with their advertisements on them. You can make a few calls, set up a meeting time, and go to the businesses

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