Kids need supplies like pencils, paper, crayons, and the like in order to learn and participate in class activities. Unfortunately, many youngsters can’t afford to buy these supplies. Teachers have been known to spend money out of their own pockets in order to make sure that all the students in their class have everything they need. This is an example of going above and beyond the call of duty, especially since public school teachers don’t make a lot of money. A Gift for Teaching is a non-profit organization that helps these teachers to help their students.

The organization was founded in 1998 by philanthropist Gary Landwirth with the goal of creating a future where students need not worry about the supplies they need in school. A Gift for Teaching helps out teachers and students in around 330 public schools in the Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties in Central Florida.

Aside from providing children with their most basic need in school which are school supplies, A Gift for Teaching also offers other programs that are meant to enhance the children’s learning experience and bridge the learning gap between those who can afford quality education and those who don’t.  One of the many outstanding programs the organization has for students are A Gift for Music, one of the State of Florida’s most comprehensive string music education programs. A Gift for Teaching not only helps teachers and students, the organization also partnered up with Ocala, Florida’s Lowell Correctional Institution for its program called Crafts with Conviction. This program allows teachers to “buy” educational materials like maps, journals, flashcards, and other items made by the inmates from LCI. These materials are made available at a “free store”. This not only helps the children in need; it also helps in the rehabilitation of the inmates.