On Friday, August 19, Keri Butler of Weiss Memorial Hospital’s Central Scheduling department attended Lawndale Community Academy’s back to school fair on a mission to deliver much needed school supplies to families in need as their children head back to school this fall.
Keri Butler shows off a display of more than 100 backpacks that she collected and donated to the Lawndale Community Academy with the help of family, friends, community partners and Weiss colleagues.
“I am extremely grateful for the outpour of donations from my fellow coworkers and volunteers at Weiss Hospital. The level of generosity has me speechless. The community is definitely grateful for any and all resources. Many families rely on donations,” said Butler.
Butler started Clyde’s Kids, a non-profit organization named after her grandmother, to honor her grandmother and the connections she made with children as a schoolteacher. This year, with help from family, friends, community partners and Weiss colleagues, Butler was able to donate more than 100 backpacks filled with school supplies, face masks and even a few school uniform pants.
Weiss Senior Center and Volunteer Coordinator Judi Jordan poses with Butler behind a sign promoting Butler’s non-profit organization, Clyde’s Kids.
Weiss Senior Center Coordinator Judi Jordan accompanied Butler to help distribute the supplies. Butler noted that she and Jordan had a great time interacting with the families, children, and staff of Lawndale Community Academy.
“I am very sentimental about this community. This is the grammar school that I attended when I was a child. Thank you to everyone at Weiss who donated and helped me embrace my vision. You are a blessing to so many children and their families,” Butler said.
School children visited the Clyde’s Kids table to select backpacks full of the supplies that will be critical to their success this school year.
“We met so many very thankful family members. One mom mentioned she had five children and that the book bags were a big help to her,” shared Jordan. “Keri’s hard work paid off. The Weiss community came through in a big way and made a real difference for these kids.”
Butler would like to give special recognition to her family and friends who went above and beyond in helping make the school supply drive a success. She also wishes to thank the many Weiss colleagues and volunteers who contributed greatly.
“I am thankful for the entire Weiss community, and for each contribution, big or small,” said Butler.