MI Rotary Grant Supplies Much Needed Equipment to School

When it rains in Seattle, recess at Van Asselt School used to be a problem. Until last week the students ended up in a lecture hall with little to do. That’s when the boxes of games, building blocks and activities arrived at the school. The items came through a grant from the .

Interim Principal Po-Yuck Tang received the gifts in an all school assembly from Rotary Club members Rand Ginn, Burry Pelzel and Tom Ulie.

The Rotary Club of Mercer Island has been active in the school though a tutoring program, joining with the Rainier Valley Rotary Club to supply dictionaries to third graders and applying for grants for much needed items. The club is committed to being change makers for good.

Van Asselt Elementary School, located on Beacon Hill, is a school where 17 different languages are spoken among the students and 85% of the children receive free lunches.

“It is a very special school with very special children. We want the children to know we’re here to support their learning and growth,” stated one of the club’s members.