Be part of helping a local elementary school while you're at SPOA's 2023 Conference!
Westcliffe ES, is a Title I school in Greenville, South Carolina, near the venue for SPOA's 2023 International Conference on School Photography & Yearbooks.
On the Monday before the conference begins, we'll be leading a team of volunteers to breathe new life into some of the school's facilities. We'd love for you to join us!
Ways to get involved:
Sign up to volunteer in-person on Monday, July 10, 7:30am-2:30pm. Register here
Purchase needed items for the service project from the project's Amazon wish list.
Host a collection drive for new or gently-used PK-5th children's clothes (See more details below)
Mail a check as a general, fully tax-deductible, donation (See more details below)
SPOA and The American Foundation of School Pictures and Yearbooks will send a tax donation receipt back for all donations, gifts, and services.
Projects we'll be doing in the school:
The Hope Closet
As an elementary in a low-income area, the school keeps a "Hope Closet" stocked with clothes for students who need them. The school would like to re-organize and be able to store more clothes in here. We will be bringing in some organization bins, shelves, and other storage solutions to try to maximize this wonderful resource's potential.
We will also be collecting donations for the Hope Closet — new or gently-used children's (PK-5th) shoes, boots, socks, jackets, shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, etc. Learn more and find a clothing drive flyer to print below!
The Teachers Lounge
These teachers work hard, and we want them to have a cheerful, relaxing teachers lounge! We will be providing a new café area with Keurigs, microwaves, and toasters. We'll also hang a TV and brighten up the walls with some art.
Parents Area
The school keeps a small area for parents who are waiting to meet with a teacher. Many parents will also come to use the spare computer if the family does not have a computer at home. We plan to make the space twice as useful, with two matching desks and two new computers, and hang some fresh art up on the walls!
Outdoor Landscaping
There are long stretches around the school's building and its entrance sign that are bare of greenery. We plan to plant shrubs that are colorful and easy to maintain, to give the front of the school a cheery facelift!
If you can't volunteer, would your company be willing to donate?
SPOA and The American Foundation of School Pictures and Yearbooks will send a tax donation receipt back for all donations, gifts, and services.
Host a Clothing Drive
Provide extra clothing for these elementary schoolers living in a low-income area! Donations should be new or gently used and should be sized for kids PK-5th Grade (around 4-11 years old). Send any collected donations by June 23 to:
School Photographers of America
ATTN: Operation School Smiles
5509-B West Friendly Ave., Suite 101
Greensboro, NC 27410
You can use this provided flyer to advertise a company clothing drive.
Purchase Items for the Service Project
You've read our planned projects above — Can you help us provide these upgraded facilities to this school? You can see our needed items on the linked wish list below:
Make a General Donation
100% of all donations will go to the project. This can go toward buying shrubs, mulch, and furniture. Make any checks out to School Photographers of America, with Operation School Smiles as the memo, and mail by the end of May to:
American Foundation of School Pictures & Yearbooks
ATTN: Operation School Smiles
5509-B West Friendly Ave., Suite 101
Greensboro, NC 27410
Together as an industry we can do some incredible things. It's projects like this that truly show the heart of companies, employees and partners.
Thank you!
The American Foundation of School Pictures & Yearbooks
5509B West Friendly Ave.
Suite 101
Greensboro, NC 27410