The Teacher's Desk, established in 2011, has a pretty impressive report card. The past year they have given over $600,000 worth of supplies to 100 Buffalo schools. They are "A store where teachers Pre-k through 8th grade shop free for students in need."
Located at 22 Northampton St. Buffalo, NY 14209, they give free supplies to schools that have 70% or more student participation in the National School Lunch program. On average, each teacher receives $500 of free supplies. John Mika started the organization after substitute teaching in Buffalo. "Nobody had paper, either," said Mika. "These kids were struggling." He found a few supplies in the teacher's desk, but not enough to cover the class. Mika knew that he had to take action.
There are many schools in the Buffalo area that simply do not have enough basic supplies to use the in classroom. The Teacher's Desk is making a difference to the lives of these students and they are improving the educational system in Buffalo. Everyone is grateful - their large store is filled with thank you cards from appreciative students and teachers. If you are in the Buffalo area and looking for volunteer opportunities, check out The Teacher's Desk.
Thank you to The Teacher's Desk!!! You are doing amazing work.
Peace & Love,
Jon
- The Good World News
Carmelo Anthony makes his fans smile both on and off the basketball court. "Melo" is the star player on the New York Knicks known for his clutch shooting. For all of us upstate New Yorkers, he led Syracuse Orangemen to their first NCAA title in 2003! Go 'Cuse!!
Recently, Melo has been doing some impressive charity work rebuilding basketball courts in Puerto Rico. Carmelo's father is Puerto Rican, so he has some deep ties to the area. The recently upgraded courts are located in Bayamon. About 350 children currently use the new courts! In 2011, Melo's charity rebuilt a court in Luquillo and in 2010 they rebuilt a court in La Perla. In addition to creating the courts, Melo is hosting a free-admission celebrity softball game with other NBA stars.
"There's plenty of kids down there who need role models," he said during a press conference Thursday. "I grew up in a situation like that. ... It was survival of the fittest.", Melo states.
Melo is making many smiling faces and helping out hundreds of children with his charity work. Great job Melo!!!
Peace & Love,
Jon
- The Good World News
After Svante Myrick, 25, became the youngest-ever mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., he gave up his car to join the estimated 15 percent of his city’s residents who walk to work. As mayor, however, Myrick has a prime downtown parking spot reserved for his exclusive use. So instead of letting it stand empty, last week he began to, as he put it, “turn the Mayor’s parking space into a park space.”
Myrick hasn’t given up driving entirely; he belongs to the local Ithaca Carshare and told the Ithaca Times, “I love driving … I miss my car.” But he’s also working to enhance Ithaca’s transportation options. On his campaign website, he wrote, “The answer to too many cars is not necessarily more parking spaces … We can change traffic patterns and parking behaviors by providing alternative methods of transportation which are more affordable, reliable and convenient.” This guy is officially our favorite prodigy mayor since Ben Wyatt.
Laskow, Sarah. "Ithaca mayor turns his personal parking space into a mini-park". Grist. 30 May 2012. Web.
View original article at grist.org:
http://grist.org/list/ithaca-mayor-turns-his-personal-parking-space-into-a-mini-park/