In fact, that is the way it has been since 1999 when Jeannette Kelley started Apple Tree.
The former teacher and elementary school principal saw the need within the school district, and began working with the Helping Hands Food Pantry and Belton school district to provide school supplies, clothes for the first day of school, vaccinations and even those all-important haircuts.
“We go all out,” Ms. Kelley said.
Monday morning, more than 200 volunteers converged at the First Baptist Church in Belton to hand out supplies.
It was a sight to behold Monday as 1,359 bags of school supplies lined the inside of the gymnasium.
And it has certainly come a long way.
When Apple Tree was launched nine years earlier, Ms. Kelley and a handful of volunteers and donors were able to help slightly less than 300 children.
Of course, because eligible families are qualified for the Apple Tree Program through the Helping Hands Ministry, not all of the district’s 8,700 students are eligible to participate.
But none of that happens overnight, and Ms. Kelley readily admits she could never do this on her own.
“It’s a big operation and it takes a lot of organizing,” Ms. Kelley said.
In fact, Ms. Kelley said the project began to take shape in May as the school districts were winding down for the 2007-2008 school year.
“We allow the school personnel to participate in any way they would like too,” she said. “Sometimes it involves the whole school.”
However, the project kicks into high gear right after Belton wraps up its July 4th parade.
“As soon as that is over, we start in earnest. We work every day,” she said.
For this school year, Apple Tree raised about $7,000 through its start-up campaign, but the bulk of the supplies and services were donated through area businesses, churches and individuals.
“That $7,000 sounds like a lot of money, but this whole project is about a $200,000 project,” Ms. Kelley said.
Judy Owens, public information officer for BISD, has known Ms. Kelley for a number of years and credits her with ensuring Apple Tree’s success.
“It’s amazing when you go and see the detail, and all of the thought and effort that she has put into organizing this, as well as organizing all the volunteers. It’s just pretty amazing how it all works,” Ms. Owens said. “This is a value to the school district because every student does enter ready to learn on the very first day.”
Ms. Kelley, however, declines to take any credit for all the hard work that came from donors and the hundreds of volunteers who help make it successful.
“I depend on God and people,” she said.
