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Basha students collect school supplies for Chandler-based organization

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A group of Basha High School students have been writing letters to elderly residents in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This month, they expanded their concern to elementary school students, collecting school supplies for children in Title 1 schools. 

Four BHS students joined forces with Assistance League of East Valley, a Chandler organization that provides new school clothing for children whose parents are struggling financially. The Basha High School “Stationery Drive” collected more than 400 notebooks, pens and pencils, markers, cases and other supplies for the Assistance League to distribute. 

“Growing up, my problems were deciding which color notebooks I would buy and which ones I would use for each class, instead of wondering where my supplies would come from,” said Renee Gu, a Basha junior. “Realizing that many students in our local community do not face the same reality is extremely jarring.” 

Gu is president of the Letters for Rose Club at Basha High, part of an international effort to alleviate loneliness in elderly people during the pandemic by delivering letters and pieces of art.

Since 2022, the club has successfully delivered more than personal 400 letters to local shut-ins and nursing home residents. 

“We are so grateful for the support of these young people,” said Marsha Calhoun, president-elect of Assistance League of East Valley. “We are all volunteers, and we served over 7,300 school age children and homeless teens last year who will be very happy to receive these supplies.”  

The league's thrift shop is at 2326 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler.

An annual fundraiser for Assistance League of East Valley will be April 29; it's a Vegas Nights event at Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes. Visit this link for more information. 

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