Join our team of over 40 KI and community members tutoring in schools throughout the Cheltenham School District.  We are a team of retired teachers and professionals who volunteer to tutor in a variety of subjects. Many students are also struggling with difficulties in basic math and reading skills. From homework helpers, to teacher support, to mentoring, our tutors are making a huge impact on student’s lives.  Email our Tutoring Coordinator, Toby Grubman if you are interested in joining the team.  She will provide the forms needed for clearance. 

OUR CURRENT NEEDS LIST! 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE!

We need new:

Baby wipes
Size 4 diapers
Size 5 diapers (needed for 3 separate children)
Size 6 diapers (needed for 2 separate children)
Pull-ups 4T/5T. (needed for 4 children (2 siblings & then 2 separate children) (generic characters/designs or 2 siblings are boys, then one is a boy and one is a girl)

• Underwear, socks, sweatpants/sweatshirts and T-shirts sizes 5-10

• Winter coats

• Reusable water bottles

• School supplies: plastic folders with pockets, crayola markers

• Soft lunch bags

• Individual snack packs-nut free

• Household cleaning supplies

in addition to supporting our school-age students in the Cheltenham School District with their needs, they have younger siblings who are in need of diapers and baby wipes!  Many of these families are recent immigrant families who are struggling to pay rent, food, and afford diapers.”
Other ongoing needs: Lysol wipes, paper towels, tissues, dish soap, hand soap, feminine products
Specific needs for 1 family:  trash can for kitchen, trash can for bathroom, microwave oven

History of Champions For Cheltenham

Champions For Cheltenham is a local interfaith group formed several years ago to address issues around poverty in our own community. Surprisingly, we discovered that homelessness and food insecurity affected a number of families in the Cheltenham School District, and this problem was increasing as refugees were settling in the area. Working closely with the district Social Worker, we used these funds to supply household items for families whose homes were damaged by fire, to purchase gift cards to alleviate food insecurity, to give backpacks and lunch bags to children unable to afford them, and to cover childhood vaccinations for a refugee family waiting for medical assistance. Guidance Counselors and teachers also welcomed our donations of small incentive gifts for students, and nurses have requested back-up clothing for children needing a change.

While federal and state programs are available to some families, many working parents fall just over the income limit for assistance, or have unexpected events that stress the family budget. Our group has served as a back up, and has been able to help with emergency needs quickly.

Current Faith Based Organizations involved and who to contact:

-Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel: Margie Curtis Cohen & Debbie Zlotick

-Beth Sholom Congregation: Marge Buxbaum

-Kol Ami: Ellen Freedman

-Calvary Church: Carol Copland