Charitable organization founded by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades delivered book bags filled with supplies for more than 500 students
ATLANTA —- On Saturday, August 1, local members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77 packed and delivered school supplies to Atlanta Public Schools students at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School. The supplies are a gift from the Painters and Allied Trades for Children’s Hope Foundation (PATCH).
IUPAT volunteers joined school staff members to assemble over 500 book bags filled with pencils, paper, notebooks and the many other materials students require for a successful school year.
PATCH was founded by the IUPAT nearly 15 years ago to support programs and organizations that provide children with education, medical care and a better life through youth sports. The foundation raises funds through local efforts by IUPAT members throughout the United States.
“It is always a great pleasure to be able to give back to the local communities where our members live and work,” said Chuck Hill, business manager/secretary-treasurer of IUPAT District Council 77 in Atlanta. “This gift to Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary in particular has been a humbling and rewarding experience, and the PATCH Foundation and the members of the IUPAT are proud to do our part for these Atlanta students.”
“We are forever grateful to the IUPAT and the PATCH Foundation for their extremely generous contribution of more than 500 book bags filled with school supplies,” said Bethune Elementary Principal Amia Burnette. “I hope to continue our relationship with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades – our students and parents will be so thrilled to receive these bags on the first day of school.”
The PATCH Foundation is also providing school supplies for students in Phoenix and Houston this month as well.