Andrew Teachers Start Non-Profit, Donate 100 Bags Of Supplies

TINLEY PARK, IL — Teachers From Victor J. Andrew High School have started a non-profit organization to help give back during the coronavirus pandemic.

One Less To help One More is a non-profit created by a handful of Andrew High School teachers over the summer of 2020. The organization’s goal is to have monthly projects to give back to the community and schools in need.

Tina Scott, a teacher at Andrew High School, said the organization startup began after she received a phone call from her coworker, Carrie King, over the summer.

“[Carrie King said] I'm feeling so discouraged with what's happening in the world with COVID and people losing their jobs,” Scott said. “And it was just such a scary time. [Carrie told me] ‘I need some hope. I feel like we could do something to make a difference, I need to do something.’”

The creation of the organization came about to bring monthly challenges for people in the community to give back and contribute it forward. The organization held its first event on Aug. 29 at Cavallini's In The Park, 6700 South St., Tinley Park, where they filled 100 bags of school supplies for students at Central Park, Kolmar, Springfield and Spaulding Schools in Midlothian.

The organization wrote on its Facebook page that One Less to Help One More's school supply challenge was just the beginning.

"We decided to go with elementary because they are suffering quite a bit with this," Scott said. "High school kids acclimate pretty well but... it was just honestly, a group of colleagues and friends that got together and said, let's do something, or at least try to do something during this time."

Scott said that during 2020 many people have felt as though they can’t do much to help others, but that a small act of kindness can change that.

"Often we feel handicapped by what we do, and these problems are so big," Scott said. "[We think] 'can I actually make any kind of a difference at all?' But if we all do a little bit, then it adds up, and people will join in."

One Less to Help One More recently posted their September challenge on Facebook, which is cutting back on a purchase this Labor Day, and donating the money saved to Julia’s legacy of Hope, under the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

"We are asking that you think about your typical Labor Day celebration expenses to determine how much less you will spend this year and to donate that amount to Julia's Legacy of Hope," the organization shared on Facebook. "If you can't say that you will spend less because of a change in how you celebrate, then maybe you can spend less by substituting a nice, juicy watermelon or some other in-season fruit for the cupcakes or cake that you might purchase. Your donation can give more families who experience the devastation of childhood cancer a chance to return to normalcy, too."

To learn more about the non-profit organization and to get involved in their challenges, visit their Facebook Page.