I wanted to thank you for the PATH school supplies you furnished for our students at Owens Elementary. It felt like Christmas at the school supply warehouse this summer, when I picked up PATH school supplies. I saw binders and knew our fourth and fifth grade students used three ring binders. I saw school boxes and knew our first and second graders used school boxes.

At school, I emailed all the teachers and staff to let them know that PATH had provided supplies for any child in need. Some parents had called the school and asked about PATH school supplies. I had some Brookshire and TARGET plastic bags and started making bags of supplies for each student that had a need.

I still have supplies in my office for students. I know they will need supplies as they use them up. I did not have any zipper binders for 5th grade so I asked our Owens PTA if they had any. They found seven for our students. So I bagged up the zipper binder and the PATH supplies and brought then to the teacher who needed two sets. The teacher called the student up quietly to give them to him and he smiled and had a look of…"IS THIS FOR ME?" It was so sweet!

Thank you for providing such a nice service for the children of Tyler. I know they will appreciate the PATH school supplies all year!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Joyce Fleisher
Counselor, Owens Elem. Tyler ISD

Why I'm a Kid Reach Mentor

by Gary Avery

This is a summary of collective thoughts of my first mentee Taylor age
nine, my wife and me.
I chose KID REACH, as a way to “give back” for two reasons; first, I
believe that providing children with a positive role model and consistent
coaching positions prepares them to become successful and self-reliant
adults. Second, kids are fun. Taylor provides an opportunity for me to do
the things I loved as a kid, e.g., we always have a baseball glove, football,
basketball and two fishing poles close at hand.
We also study, build model planes, read books, study, go to parks,
study, visit TV stations, , tour the 911 center, explore fire stations, study,
shop for his Mom’s birthday/Christmas presents, study, swim, study. As
you probably noticed the word study shows up a lot! I firmly believe that a
good education is the number one key to success for Taylor. I stress the
benefit of education each week every week. I attend teacher/parent
meetings with his mother. She and I communicate about what is going on
with him every week. This team work has resulted in Taylor going from
barely passing the 2nd grade to making A's and B's in the third.
My reward is the smile on his face every Wednesday, a hug and the
pride and confidence I witness him continuing to gain.
My experience with Taylor led me to agree to take a second mentee,
named Holton, age six.
At Taylor and Holton’s first meeting, Taylor offered Holton a choice of
one of the two stuffed animals he had just won, (with absolutely no
suggestion from any adult)!
Occasionally the three of us spend time together for special occasions.
This past week when Taylor and I went to pick up Holton, instead of
Holton running up and jumping into my arms as normal, he ran past me to
hug Taylor! Watching these two boys share “stuff” and have fun together
are the best KID REACH days of all!
If you are looking for a way to absolutely make a difference in some
child’s life, KID REACH is for you. If you want to experience KID
REACH, you are welcome to spend an afternoon with the three of us.