The letter below from Birmingham, Alabama’s Helena Elementary School Principal sums up the great volunteer accomplishments under Project Manager Mark Warner’s leadership last summer, and gives a glimpse of what is planned for this summer. Great work everyone, let’s make a massive difference in the lives of many!

Dear Helena Elementary School Families and Friends,  

Many of you will recall that last year, our school benefitted from partnering with Surgance, a nonprofit organization that seeks to transform communities through partnerships with local churches, businesses and other organizations. Last summer, we were able to paint 19 classrooms, upstairs hallways and the workroom. What a difference that made to our facility!

 This will be our second and final year to partner with Surgance. Lowe’s has donated materials and supplies so now we are ready to schedule the people power needed to achieve our goals. Our goal is to enlist volunteers to paint additional classrooms and several hallways as well as to provide the general cleaning that goes with painting. Our work schedule follows and we hope to have donations of lunch and refreshments for our volunteers:  

• Saturday, June 15, 8 am – noon and 1 – 5 pm 
• Saturday, June 22, 8 am – noon and 1 – 5 pm 
• Saturday, June 29, 8 am – noon and 1 – 5 pm; this is a tentative date, depending on how much work has already been accomplished

Children will not be allowed to be at the school while this work takes place. High school students can help paint to get their “Give me 5” hours required by the high school. If you, your Sunday school class, civic organization, place of work or neighborhood would like to volunteer for this project, please call the school (205) 682-5540 or contact Mark Warner (205) 492-5904, mark.warner@surgance.com, our Surgance contact. Mark does the scheduling and will work with groups who may be able to help on days other than those listed above.

Now that the exterior of our building looks so fabulous, making sure the interior also looks shiny and new will make it even better! I know that Helena Elementary is important to you. You know how important Helena’s children are to everyone at our school. I look forward to hearing from you and to partnering with you to improve the learning environment at Helena Elementary.

With warmest regard
Mary E. Cooper, Ed. S.
Helena Elementary School Principal