Assistance League of Diablo Valley Receives Thanks from Delta View Elementary School Principal For Backpacks Donated by Bank of America

In early October, an Assistance League® of Diablo Valley member volunteer asked Bank of America to consider participating in the chapter’s Corporate Partners Program that would result in donations and grant opportunities. On October 24, Ameet Seth, Senior Vice President Diablo Central Market/Greater San Francisco Area, and 40 management team members welcomed Assistance League of Diablo Valley member volunteers to a luncheon meeting held at the Bank of America Banking Center in Livermore, CA.   Corporate Partners Committee Chairman Lesley Salo and Public Relations/ Communications Vice President Gerry Merola described Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s philanthropic programs’ need for financial support.  In response, BofA management team members, donated and stocked backpacks with school supplies that included notebooks, rulers, pencils, and pens.  In so doing, Bank of America team members continued the belief that, “Life’s better when we’re connected.”  To that end, Assistance League of Diablo Valley agreed to deliver the donated backpacks to children who are in the greatest need in Contra Costa County community.  The lifelong learners at Delta View Elementary School in Bay Point were the appreciative recipients.

At Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s November Regular Meeting, Delta View Elementary School Principal Cheryl Champion spoke in behalf of her students when acknowledging the Corporate Partners Program and Bank of America’s involvement in donating the backpacks.  Champion also noted that this week Operation School Bell®, a nationally acclaimed philanthropic program that has served the Diablo Valley community since 1994, provided new clothing and a shoe card for 300 Delta View students. Another philanthropic program that has served Delta View students is READ, an acronym that stands for Read, Explore, Achieve, and Discover.  From October to May, READ committee members read books to students and then donate the books to classrooms and school libraries.  A listening component recently added to READ allows specifically trained volunteers to assist identified students faced with learning and/or language differences. 

Champion added that Delta View teachers have also benefitted from teacher grants awarded by Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Scholarships Program.  Money designated for materials to develop such projects as reading at home and math games, along with purchasing of books, have offset wide-spread school budget constraints.  In previous years, The Kids on the Block have visited Delta View Elementary School to present educational puppet shows, all of which support the school curriculum, that deal with such issues as physical challenges, bullying, and safety.  After the performance, students are encouraged to ask the puppets questions and later further discuss their issues in the safety and comfort of their classrooms.

The backpacks donated by Bank of America play a pivotal role for the relatively young school campus.  Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s partnering with Bank of America has not only helped forge a sense of tradition for Delta View Elementary School, it reinforced the tenet that the children are the curriculum.

To learn more about Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Corporate Partners Program and its eight philanthropic programs, please visit its website: diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.  Members of the Speakers’ Bureau are also available to present the chapter’s story to various organizations who seek funding designations, free of charge.  For more information about scheduling a speaker to present to your group, please remain on our website, find the About Us column on the left side of the page, and select Speakers’ Bureau.