The Edison Project was started by First Presbyterian Church in 2000 by retired teachers, Joyce Petro and Carol Paine Smith, along with 43 volunteers. Some of the volunteers assisted in classrooms, some made monthly birthday treat for the classrooms, and some brought their dogs into the classrooms as an audience to listen as the children read. And the Project continues almost twenty years later!
We are so grateful to church members for monthly birthday treats, school supplies or money to purchase them, and contributions that allow us to purchase a book for each Edison student at Christmas. The time volunteers spend in classrooms reading to students, listening to students read, assisting with math problems, and assisting teachers in whatever they need is greatly appreciated by all of the Edison staff.
The teachers and the principal express how grateful they are for the many gifts of time, talents, and resources from FPC. At the end of each school year, the volunteers and the teachers are honored at a staff/volunteer breakfast in the cafeteria at EdisonOur volunteers work as individual tutors in reading and math, work with small groups under the direction of the classroom teachers, accompany student groups on field trips, bake and deliver birthday cupcakes each month, help with the gardening in the greenhouse, and five volunteers bring their dogs to listen to children read. Many members of the congregation donated funds, school supplies, and classroom snacks. The entire congregation, led by the pastors as well as individuals, prays frequently for the volunteers, teachers, staff, and Edison children and their families.
If you want more information, please contact any of the following:
Sue Johnson (276-9216) suebird.johnson@gmail.com
Joseph Sablan (773-569-6243) richieandjoey@sbcglobal.net