According to the latest estimates, as many as 13 million children in the United States live in "insecure" homes.
Imagine not being able to not have access to simple tools of arts and education, like crayons and colored pencils, or just a notebook!
That's why the Olean Rotary Club and Rotary District 7090 try to help those in need at Operation Warm Hearts, located at 920 North 4th Street, by buying almost $2,000 of art and education items last week, including 96 school bookbags. The supplies were purchased with a District 7090 Rotary grant that was awarded to the Olean Club to promote children’s experiences in the arts. These amazing backpacks were assembled with developmentally appropriate items for specific age groups.
Eight current members of the Rotary Club put together 96 school bookbags filled with age-appropriate art and educational items like high quality watercolor sets, paint brushes, rulers, scissors, stickers, drawing pens, coloring books, puzzle sets, sketch books, and oil pastels kits for children at the upcoming events at Operation Warm Hearts and throughout the year.
Anyone who would like to help with the next grant, please donate to the Olean Rotary Club Community Improvement Fund established by the Olean Rotary Club. This fund supports Lincoln Park gazebo repairs and renovations and other community projects. To donate through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, visit cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/
- Paula Bernstein
Art encourages children to be creative and use their imagination while also providing a fun and an interactive way for them to naturally develop essential life skills. Art also helps children to develop a sense of their own individuality, a sense of self-respect, and an appreciation for others' work.
Rotary Club members have been a part of the fabric of the Olean area community since 1928. Rotary’s current members patronize virtually all Olean-area businesses and have donated literally hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to many Olean-area causes and organizations. For example, Olean Rotary has given mini-grants to many area teachers, provided thousands of dictionaries to area third graders, helped construct a high tunnel garden at the Olean Food Pantry through a Rotary grant, helped pay for hygienic bags for the Olean Food Panty, contributed to the COVID-19 relief fund through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation 
and many other worthy endeavors.