TLC that is the name of one of our most important projects. It stands for

Tools for Learning Collaborative.

Each year many students go without school supplies because their families cannot afford them. For a long time, various agencies in our county provided supplies for students who belonged to their specific groups, others provided supplies on specific days or times, or supplies were distributed from local banks. All of these were excellent programs but did not reach the entire county. If you did not belong to a specific group or you did not reach the designated site early, you did not get supplies. That left a large void.

FCEF is trying to fill that void. Our goal is to work together (collaborate) with local business and individuals to provide each child with a FREE box of school supplies at the beginning of the school year. We are working in conjunction with the Kids In Need Foundation to purchase small suitcase size boxes filled with school supplies. The boxes are worth at least $50 but only cost us $12.50 per student. We want to give EACH student a box and thus need to raise $17,500. This will allow a large smile to appear on each of the 1400 student faces in the county. We want no child to be left out. Supplies include (but are not limited to): pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, loose leaf, calculators, crayons (younger boxes), dictionary, pencil sharpener, ruler, novel, tissues,

To reach this goal, we have to work together. We cannot continue with divided thinking. We have to all join forces and work towards a common goal. I have tried information overload, cajoling, stalking, guilt, and any other method possible and have only raised (or have pledges for) a little more than half the needed funds. $8800 will only fund 8 grades. We want to fund K-12 at the Franklin County School, K-8 at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School, and 1-12 at the Baptist School.

After you read this, please take a moment to assess what you can do to help. If you can, please consider funding a student at $12.50, a class at $300, or even a grade at $1,000. Your contribution will put supplies directly into the hands of a Franklin County student. Your tax deductible donations can be sent to P.O. Box 783, Eastpoint, Florida 32328. Visit our website for more information.

Thank you so much for helping us to lay a strong educational foundation in Franklin County.

Dr. Lois via Franklin Speaks!