Boulder Rotary Club members help Crayons to Calculators

Boulder Rotary Club volunteer, Larry Johnson (pictured), was one of 40 members who volunteered to help assemble backpacks for Crayons to Calculators - a collaboration among the Education Foundation for St. Vrain, FISH of Broomfield, Flatirons United Way, I Have a Dream, Impact on Education, Sister Carmen Community Center and Boulder Valley and St Vrain School Districts. The program was launched by Impact on Education in 2005 to provide backpacks of school supplies to students in need, coordinate the efforts of multiple non-profits, eliminate duplication, and increase community support for the thousands of students living in poverty who otherwise would not be able to start school with the supplies they need to succeed. Boulder Rotary Club provided substantial financial support to launch the program and Club members continue to volunteer and supportCrayons to Calculators.

Last week, Crayons to Calculators provided over 5,300 students in the two school districts with backpacks of school supplies. Demand increased 18% in BVSD and there are nearly 12,000 students in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain School Districts that are from low income homes. Additionally, with so many families sufffering job losses, many more students are requesting assistance this year. While the program enjoys strong community support from thousands of donors, Crayons to Calculators is not able to meet the growing need.