Past Grant Recipients

Montana Checkoff - Tools for School (2021)

Montana’s Submission:

Tools for School is a non-profit organization that raises money to purchase backpacks and school supplies for underprivileged children. The organization is led by a group of approximately 30 teens from the South Jersey area, which is captured by our "Kids Helping Kids" slogan. Over the past 9 years, we have helped over 10,000 kids start their years off successfully at school.

School supplies help give students confidence in school and empower them to engage in learning. Without them, students may feel intimidated and incapable of doing their best in the classroom. I strive to raise awareness of this largely unnoticed issue so that our communities can work together to help those in need.

Through Tools for School, I work not only to alleviate a financial burden for underprivileged families, but I also work to raise awareness of this plight in my community. I have successfully shown others that not every kid can afford a new backpack and pencils every year, and that there are many people in our community who are struggling financially. In today’s world, people turn a blind eye and ignore the poverty others experience. The more people we touch with Tools for School, the closer we as a community come to lessening the struggles of others.

Thanks to donations from community members, corporate sponsors, and partnerships, Tools for School has raised approximately $100,000 and packed more than 10,000 backpacks since 2013. Our goal in 2022 is to pack 5,000 backpacks. In 2021, 3,000 backpacks were distributed to over 15 schools in the South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania areas.

Come August, we will have fundraised all year to pack the backpacks with the community. This gives everyone the opportunity to see what goes into the backpacks and ensures that they are aware of the difference they have made by personally recognising how much goes into just one backpack, and how this can impact a child's experience in school.

With our goal of packing 5,000 backpacks this year in mind, we are working extensive hours to raise money. With the work we put into the next 8 months, we plan to meet that goal on time. I also plan to use my 4 years of leadership to make this goal possible as well as aiding the teens in doing so too.

One of my goals in life is to make a difference in the lives of others and in my community. I feel that Tools for School has had such a positive impact not only on the students who receive the supplies, but also on the volunteers and the people and organizations who donate. The happiness and pride I feel when I see the smile that spreads across a child's face when he or she is handed a brand-new backpack is both moving and motivating. These smiles are forever ingrained in my mind, and they inspire me when I am spending hours publicizing, collecting, and sorting to make this possible.

Carmen Mejia & Tiana Walker - TLC Artistry (2022)

Tiana’s Submission:

Carmen, the other co founder of TLC Artistry and I, have always yearned to help others in some capacity. Following the pandemic we were both left with very unsettling thoughts and feelings. It's safe to say, the coronavirus pandemic has left many people with said mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic set aside, mental health is an extremely important topic, that deserves more recognition. My business partner and I have a great passion for art. From painting to writing, we love it all! We've also found that our voice and who we are is stronger when we have the opportunity to create. Collectively, all of us need a positive way to uplift and empower ourselves, and through personal experience, we believe promoting a welcoming environment where people can express themselves creatively, we can do so. TLC Artistry has conducted research of their own which determined that the majority of people find serenity in carrying out creative tasks. By distributing creative boxes we know that we will be making a difference, with one box at a time. We expect to receive bright testimonials and recurring artists to prove that statement. TLC Artistry intends on changing the way mental health is approached by offering boxes which contain art projects, with varying themes that tie in with various mental health themes, such as self-care, the embracing of diversity, and healing. For example, one box may be the creation of soap which ties in with self care. Other art project boxes can be painting, candle making, crocheting and more. In our boxes will also be inspiring and empowering messages related to mental health. On top of receiving the box full of art materials, we would like to meet on zoom with the recipients of our boxes so our artists can create together. Our main goal with these creative meetings is to promote a safe and welcoming environment in which our artists can speak freely and openly while also being creative. All in all, we want to offer a form of art therapy to those suffering from mental health issues. TLC Artistry is currently working alongside a business coach and Dignity of Children to make our dreams of helping others possible. Over the last 6 months TLC Artistry has established and finalized a clear cut plan and budget for our business for our starting 6 months. This includes project ideas, wholesale distributors, and prototypes. Our logo and website is still in the works, but we intend on having everything up and running by September. With the thousand dollar grant, TLC Artistry hopes to gift a certain amount of boxes to those in need. By donating those boxes we plan on receiving valuable feedback and criticism needed to improve both our product and message, getting our name out there, and most importantly making our first big step in helping others!