School Supply Drive for Asian Refugee Children a Success!

August 25, 2009 -- The Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership called for a donation of school supplies specifically for Aurora's Burmese and Bhutanese refugee children. Refugees have very limited resources, and purchasing the school supplies on the list really adds up for these families who are just starting out with a new life in the big city.

This group shot includes members of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership, two from the Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a couple who faithfully volunteer daily on behalf of the refugees.

Photo credit: Chuck Hahn, City of Aurora Co-Chair to the Partnership

Pictured in front of the van:
The men in back:  Jerico Javier* (far left), Capt. Brian Gallagher*, Partnership Co-Chair Sudhir Verma*, Paul Williams (volunteer to Burmese/Karen refugees)
Women in front: Frankie Anderson*, Judy Williams (volunteer to the Burmese/Karen refugees), Lynn Hsu**, Darlene Kondo**,
Past Co-Chair Lily Shen*, Jane Kong***, Co-Chair Elect Jane Sarmiento*, Past Co-Chair Edith Pasion*, Nancy Tan*, Nai-li Yee*, Eed Cefkin*

Not pictured is Past Co-Chair Harvey Lee and Ex-Officio member, George Yoshida, who helped get the word out to the community.

* Members of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership
** Volunteers for the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA)
*** Guest Jane Kong, Olinger Crown Hill (Asian Paradise Garden)

Besides members of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership, several members of the various APA communities also brought in backpacks and supplies over a two week period to support the drive.  APABA was especially generous by donating 40 backpacks and the school supplies for the Elementary age, plus extra for eight Jr. High students. Overall, the drive brought in 80 backpacks and school supplies to fill all of them, plus flash drives and calculators for older children. A past sponsor of the Partnership's Education Awards Program, the Fitzsimons Community Federal Credit Union, also provided flash drives and portfolios, as well as teddy bears for the younger children--we can't forget the littlest ones!

Contributors to the school supply drive include:  APABA, the Partnership, the Aurora Business Development Center, Fitzsimons Community Federal Credit Union, Census 2010 (dozens upon dozens of pencils!) and various members of the greater community, including Steve Barden, Allison Castano, Mary Lee Chin, Ramani Kandan Kanagainthiram, Bonnie Liu, Peggy Lore, Terrie Murimoto, Patty Quinn, Anjali Sarwal, Erin Yoshimura.

Photo credit: Chuck Hahn, City of Aurora Co-Chair to the Partnership

Paul and Judy Williams work regularly with the Burmese refugees, especially the Karen, as sponsors, lending volunteer support to the Ecumenical Refugee Services and the Lutheran Family Services.  Judy is pictured here in the center between APABA volunteers Lynn Hsu to the left and Darlene Kondo to the right.. Frankie Anderson (far left) and Judy Williams both attend Family Worship Center in Littleton, and their pastor let the group borrow the church van to deliver the supplies. All the supplies were delivered the week of August 24th. It was clear that what was collected will help most of the Burmese and Bhutanese refugee children, K-5, throughout the school year. Several older students also received supplies, including rulers, calculators and flash drives.

How can the Partnership thank each of you enough for your generosity?  A very special thank you to Lynn Hsu and Darlene Kondo for doing all that shopping on APABA's behalf!  Each contributor made the drive 100% successful.

Most importantly, the refugee children thank you, too! They are precious and feel so loved by your gifts.

Frankie Anderson
Staff to the Partnership

Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership
Florence Square
9801 E. Colfax Ave., #200
Aurora, CO  80010-2155
(303) 326-8690
www.auroraasian.org

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The original announcement of the school supply drive for refugee children follows:

Dear Friends of the Partnership,

The Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership discussed putting together some school supplies for the Burmese and Bhutanese refugees, many of whom live in Aurora.  Once you view the list on the Aurora Public Schools’ web site (also attached), you’ll see why it might be overwhelming for the refugees to acquire/afford all the supplies.  Their state assistance must stretch for all their needs, and food assistance is strictly for food, not paper goods, school supplies, etc.  Those who have been here for more than eight months are pretty much on their own.

Note that school actually starts this week, but there is an on-going need for supplies, and I’m certain that your contributions will be received gratefully from teachers and refugee families alike.  Please read the following excerpt from an e-mail I received concerning this particular need:

“At the end of my refugee ESL class today, there was a spirited discussion among several of the students. They had just received the incredibly long lists of school supplies that were provided by their children’s schools.  The moms were very upset by the long list of items they were expected to acquire before the start of the school year.  The parents are scrambling to buy the required supplies, and I’m sure it’s particularly difficult for those who have several children in school.”

“Schools cannot afford these basic supplies and when the families cannot cover the expenses it falls to the teacher to pay out of pocket."

After you peruse the list:  http://www.aps.k12.co.us/district-info/supplies.html - - (PDF version)
Consider putting together at least one package, preferably more, for a refugee student(s) and mark it for the appropriate grade (K-5); I will personally make sure that your packages get into the hands of Aurora Asian refugee families in need.  Although there are drop off sites at various locations, such as Target, Walgreens, etc., that would not guarantee we’re reaching are target group.  So, it’s best if the Partnership make a concerted effort to make a collective donation.  As an extra contribution, you might consider placing the supplies in a backpack and mark the backpack for the appropriate grade—K-5.

Drop-off site between now and August 25th:
The Partnership staff office at Florence Square, 9801 E. Colfax Ave., #200, Aurora, CO 80010 (located across the street from the MLK Library).

The deadline will be the date of our next Partnership meeting, slated for August 25th, 4:30 – 6:00 PM.
The drop-off site for this specific date and time only will be the MLK Library, 2nd floor conference room, 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, CO  80010.

Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership
Florence Square
9801 E. Colfax Ave., #200
Aurora, CO  80010-2155
(303) 326-8695
www.auroraasian.org