| Bikes for Books - Robert Mariani |
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| Robert Mariani - Bikes for Books Chairman |
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April 2011
Brothers, Aaron Lodge again had the pleasure and indeed the privilege once again to participate with Oyama School with our “Bikes for Books” program. Our lodge has worked with the program for a number of years, and with this particular school for five. I’ve personally have been active in the program for four or five years and never disappointed with the reaction of these kids when they win (earn) a bike.
This presentation did not disappoint me or any of the brothers who were present for the awards. The look of amazement, pure joy, and delight present in the eyes of the winning students is clearly worth the effort the lodge puts in to effectively run this program. Many of these kids never had a bike and if they did it is typically a hand-me-down. Now they can enjoy a bright, shiny new bike that is all their own. Most importantly, it is not a gift but something the student has earned, something of value, teaching an essential life lesson that hard work has its potential rewards. And this is the life lesson we want to leave with these kids.
For those of you not familiar with this program, our lodge works with a school which is typically in a low-income demographic. The school principal and the Lodge coordinate each presentation that typically runs for each school marking period. Two bikes are presented for each period and four marking periods constitute a school year. As a result eight bikes are awarded each school year. The student qualifies for a drawing that awards a bike if a predetermined number of books are read during the marking period. The principal determines the number of books to be read. The objective of the program is quite simple: encourage the student to read and develop an essential academic tool for the future.
As an added treat, we had a very special guest attend one of the presentations… Yulia Hollister, Terry Hollister’s wife. Yulia is on active duty with the navy and attended in uniform. She was a real “hit” with the kids. Thanks Yulia for joining us on Thursday.
Thank you to all the brothers who helped make this presentation successful. We encourage brothers from our Lodge to attend whenever you can. The next presentations are scheduled for May. The dates will be made available as soon as we get them.
November 2009
Aaron Lodge presented a 26” bicycle to a deserving student on Tuesday October 27th at Oyama School. This presentation was held at 1PM. The Lodge was represented by Bro. Gil Mowbray, Br. Brian Johnson and Br. Bob Mariani.
The school principal (Ms. Victoria Callison) has decided to award bikes this year based on students reading accomplishments. In the past, bikes were awarded based on school attendance. The school the Lodge supports sits in a largely Hispanic community and the students usually come from homes where English is a second language. Our bike program has a tremendous positive influence on these kids. As the principal of Oyama has written: “I am so very grateful for the support the Masons have provided to the school over the past several years”.
The Lodge will be attending and presenting bikes throughout the remainder of the school year. The dates to remember are:
January 4, 2010
March 30, 2010
April 24, 2010
Please mark your calendars with these dates. All presentations are made at a school assembly commencing at 1PM. It would be great if we could have a turnout of a dozen or so brothers. See first-hand how our dollars are spent on this program and the tremendous results it brings to the kids and to Masons. Please call me at (401) 855-6400 if you want more information or directions to the school.
Thanks for your continued support, Bro. Bob Mariani
February 2009
On Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9, I had one of the most profoundly moving experience of my life-and I've been alive a long time. Along with several other Brothers from Aaron 49, I had the reward of sharing the joy that our Bikes For Books program brings to the students of Oyama school. Here we can observe Masonry in action as we provide support to the educational efforts of the Tucson public school system.
Most of you are familiar with this program that is designed to encourage youngsters in the K thru 5th grades to attend school. We select a school to support (typically an inner city one) and work with the administration to encourage attendance. The program is simple-if a student has perfect attendance for the marking period, that student becomes eligible to win a bike. Currently we have the resources to award seven bikes for the school year. We would like to do more!
Brothers, when you see the eyes of a youngster light up when presented a bike, you understand that the money and effort put into the program is worthwhile.
Thanks to Brothers Larry, Brian, Brent, Carl, Gil, Stan and John for their help. And I encourage any of you to experience and participate in the program.
April 2009
Monday and Tuesday (March 23 and 24), Aaron Lodge again had an opportunity to participate with Oyama Elementary School with their “Bikes for Books” program.
Most of you are familiar with this program that is designed to encourage youngsters in the K thru 5th grades to attend school. We select a school to support (typically an inner city one) and work with the administration to encourage attendance. The program is simple-if a student has perfect attendance for the marking period, that student becomes eligible to win a bike. Currently we have the resources to award seven bikes for the school year. We would like to do more!
As most of you are aware, we have attempted to fund the program this year entirely from donations. In past years the program was funded from Lodge operating funds. So far, so good.
Those of you who have made the program a success so far this year, thanks for your donations and support putting the bikes together. In the future I’m happy to say that bikes will be assembled for us by the supplier.
Again thank you to all the brothers for your continued support of this very worthwhile program.
June 2009
The final presentations for the 2008-2009 school year “Bikes for Books” program was be held on May 18th, 19th at Oyama Elementary School.
As you know our Lodge supports the school and encourages student attendance by awarding a bike to two students each marking period. A bike may be won by a student who has no absences or late arrivals on their record for the current marking period. We on the committee encourage any Brothers who are available to attend one or more of the presentations. It will be a rewarding experience not only for the winner of a bike but also for each of us who have a chance to see our work in action.
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