LINCOLN -- For the first three months of the school year, Bright Futures Lincoln has already surpassed the number of children it helped during the 2015-16 school year, according to Jana Claybrook, a member of Bright Futures Board of Directors.
Since August, Bright Futures has met the needs of 781 children in a variety of ways. That includes school supplies, shoes, socks, jeans, gas cards for traveling to Arkansas Children's Hospital and helping families who lost everything when their houses burned down.
Claybrook, whose full-time position is executive master teacher with Lincoln Consolidated School District, shared the program's successes in an annual celebration banquet at the community building on Lincoln Square.
The goal of Bright Futures, Claybrook said, is to meet all the basic needs of children so they can focus on school. The motto of Lincoln's program is to give students a "hand up, not a handout," Claybrook told those gathered for the banquet.
The program is successful, she said, because of the time, talent and treasures given by many volunteers.
"This really is a community wide support system," she added.
Claybrook gave her own personal testimony about Lincoln at the banquet.
"I landed here 29 years ago. I'm an outsider and I've stayed in this community because of the support this community gives," she said.
She elaborated on each of the three areas that make the program successful.
Time
Many teachers, school groups, community leaders, businesses, civic organizations and individuals donate their time volunteering for events to help children, Claybrook said.
As an example, Claybrook pointed to the annual Back to School Bonanza.
More than 40 people volunteered for the Bonanza. Volunteers included several Lincoln High School groups, such as the Key Club, churches, Lincoln Kiwanis Club and many others.
"They volunteered multiple hours," Claybrook said.
Talents
Examples of those who volunteer their talents, Claybrook said, are local hairdressers who gave free haircuts to those at the Back to School Bonanza. Dr. Chris Akey, with Life Family Chiropractic, volunteers by helping with athletic teams.
Donna Thompson, who coordinates Bright Futures Lincoln for the school district, shared a story about a child with a hurting tooth. The boy needed a root canal and one dentist didn't charge anything for the root canal and another one fixed the rest of his teeth.
Thompson told those at the banquet that when he was finished, he said, "Thank you, Miss Donna. Now I can smile."
Treasures
Claybrook provided many instances of those who have provided treasures to help children. Grace Place will open its doors at anytime to help students who need essential items, such as clothes and jackets. Walmart Family Foundation has helped in many ways, Claybrook added.
She named many others, such as Arvest Bank, American Drive-In, PG Telco, United Way of Washington County, Lincoln Area Ministerial Alliance, Ozarks Electric and grants from the city of Lincoln.
The school district hosted a sock drive earlier this fall and people donated 1,281 pairs of socks. Others have helped high school students go to proms, purchase senior graduation items and provide financial assistance for students to go on trips, such as to the national chess tournament.
Claybrook and Thompson pointed out that in many cases, students with needs are working to help themselves. Some work parking lots at Razorback football games and the money is put into an account to pay for upcoming expenses. Others are volunteering to help themselves and help others.
Bright Futures USA is a national organization, based in Joplin, Mo., that serves as a conduit to help schools meet the needs of their students by networking with civic groups, churches, parent groups, businesses and individuals within a community.
Lincoln Bright Futures has a Facebook page where needs are posted. For more information or to help, join the Facebook page - www.facebook.com/brightfutureslincoln.
General News on 11/30/2016