Serving Our Schools

St. Andrew's UMC School Mission Initiatives

St. Andrew's UMC had a long tradition of supporting Dover Elementary School for many years, providing tutoring by volunteers and donations of school supplies. In 2024, we expanded our primary support from Dover to a small school, Wilson Elementary, based on the loss of volunteer opportunities at Dover and an opportunity to expand our mission. We also now include Spring Hill Elementary with support on a limited basis.

Both schools teach K-5th grades. Their students come from working class families, i.e., the working poor. Their backgrounds and social circumstances vary greatly. Many families experience homelessness, foster care placement, or care provided by grandparents along with students from more traditional backgrounds.

To date, our involvement and support at Wilson Elementary has included:

• Volunteers for all first grades

• Purchase of an educational rug for a classroom

• 165 Thanksgiving Food Bags (also shared with Spring Hill)

• Shoes (also shared with Spring Hill)

• Fall Festival financial donation

• Photographed family pictures free of charge

• Supported clothing drive for hurricane relief

• Taco lunch for teachers as a show of appreciation for all of their efforts

• Financed field trips to Dinosaur Land and the Planetarium Experience

• Supplied 400 computer headsets—one for each student, Kindergarten through 5th grades

It is with the sincerest thank you to our congregation for their generous support of these schools. Wilson Elementary, founded in 1927 will celebrate its 100th year anniversary in the next school year, still in the same building no less. Your continued support is needed to help a dedicated staff make a difference in the lives of these children.

Leonard Henry, Ministry Leader

St. Andrew's UMC-School Mission Initiatives

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