1,200 kids and counting

I agree Greg - I'm in!!!

Here is the listing of items we collect in our school supply drives:

#2 Pencils
Crayons
Washable Markers
Wide Rule Filler Paper
Wide Rule Spiral Notebooks
Highlighters
Blue Pens
Black Pens
Red Pens
2-Pocket Folders
Bottle of Washable Glue
Large Pink Erasers
Glue Sticks
Inches/Metric Rulers
Blunt Tip Scissors
Pencil Sharpeners
Pencil Cap Erasers
Pencil Cases
Facial Tissue
New Backpacks

Please contact either Menachem or myself if you have any questions.

That's a great list Mike. I think another list that may bring this "closer" to some of us is what schools or districts will these supplies serve?

I wrote a check for $130 to be a "pencil case" sponsor, and would love to see others here step up.

Thanks all!  And thanks for your sponsorship, Linda!  (BTW, your logo was added to the sites).

While Operation: Kid Equip serves all teachers and schools in Southeastern Michigan,  our current organizational focus for this year is the Avondale Schools (Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Troy and Bloomfield), Clawson/Royal Oak, Ferndale and Pontiac School Districts.

Why Oakland County this year?  With over 51,000 Oakland County kids on the free and reduced lunch program, no city in the county is without its share of kids in need.  Look here:  http://tinyurl.com/bvmnq3    [Recent State update forthcoming...it only grew in numbers]

Thanks again for your consideration and support of Operation: Kid Equip.

It's scary when you think about what these numbers portend for the "next generation" of American workers and business owners.

According to an ABC News report a year ago, 7 million Americans are illiterate, 27 million are unable to read well enough to complete a job application, and 30 million can't read a simple sentence... http://abcnews.go.com/WN/LegalCenter/Story?id=4336421&page=1

Linda- We will be bringing your challenge to the people soon. Thanks for taking the lead.

Thank you, Terry, for "taking it to the people" - everything you touch turns to gold, and I would love to see Operation: Kid Equip become a foundational movement for the leaders of the future... one pencil at a time, if needs be!

Reading the list of items needed or looking at the demographic need is a great first introduction to what Menacham and Mike are doing with OKE.  Step two is to meet them.  If you really want to get inspired, just talk with them.  One thing they both share is the PASSION for learning how to leverage co-opetition to benefit kids.  They understand that to survive and thrive in this market, they need to think win-win-win.

BTW-Terry, have you trademarked co-opetition yet?  If not, I'm going to keep using it all the time!

MCC - I have a Non-Profit Tax Exemption Card for Wal-Mart if you are interested in being apart of the this we should all meet up @ a local Wal-Mart (Rochester Hills) and pool our money together based on the list Mike Provided above.

Let me know if this is something you would be interested in and lets put it together sometime either next week or the following!

Thanks - Keith

We appreciate that Keith; however, you can't use another orgs tax exempt card for another.

We would be happy to meet you and provide the Operation: Kid Equip Nonprofit Tax Exempt card.

Thanks.

Menachem

Ooops...I don't know how I missed it.  Thanks for the kind words, Dave!  We appreciate the support.

Menachem :)

I sell the local 4 pro teams, and U-M, M.S.U.  team pencils in my store. There is 6 pencils per pack and retail for $ 3.25. I would be willing to donate 20 packs to the cause . If you are interested, please contact me at 248-375-1515  

Thanks, Brian!  That offer will put pencils into the hands of 10 more kids!! 

I will call you this afternoon.