PENCIL Foundation in collaboration with the LP Foundation, charitable arm of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, one of Nashville’s newest corporate citizens, has opened LP® PENCIL Box, a school supply center where Metro teachers “shop free” for items essential for classroom instruction. Located in a former school building in the Donelson area, LP PENCIL Box celebrated its grand opening on September 7. This year the center will serve elementary schools. Plans are to extend service to middle and high schools in the future.

During the past year, PENCIL researched effective school supply partnerships around the country. An outstanding example, established in 1999, was found in Portland, Oregon. On a partnership recruiting visit with Louisiana-Pacific last spring, PENCIL learned that the company participated in the Portland partnership when it was headquartered there. It supported the program for many years, both with monetary resources and employee volunteers. LP PENCIL Box is based on that model.

“Louisiana-Pacific staff have been invaluable in helping us design a school supply partnership to fit Nashville’s needs,” states Connie Williams, PENCIL executive director. “They’ve provided us with a $30,000 grant to open the center this year, with an additional match grant option as we raise other funds.”

“We saw the difference LP’s Portland partnership made for students and are pleased with the return the community received from our contributions,” shares Jeff Duncan, company VP and CIO. “We’re proud to be a part of the Nashville

partnership that will give many students the tools they need for learning which they may otherwise lack. We’re happy to contribute both our time and resources to make it a success. We want to make a difference and appreciate the opportunity to do so here in Nashville.”

Duncan encourages additional community support. He says, “In LP vernacular as a building products company, we invite the business community to ‘build with us.’ We challenge, through matching funds, others in the Metro area to support this worthwhile project.”

LP PENCIL Box is a major partnership between the Nashville business community and public schools. Companies and individuals are encouraged to donate both new and surplus school supplies for distribution through the center at 3125 Ironwood Drive.

In addition to seed money from LP and space provided by Metro Schools, products and funds have been received from the following:

• Ms. Maryle Albin • Atkinson Public Relations • Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry • Creative Artists Agency • Deloitte & Touche • Ms. April Graves • Healing Hands International Humanitarian Relief • Nashville General Hospital at Meharry • Nashville Office Interiors • Office Depot • Permanent General Companies • PrimeTrust Bank • Randstad Work Solutions • Rogers Group, Inc. • Sanford L.P. • Shop at Home Employee Assistance Committee • Tennessee Performing Arts Center • The Tennessee Credit Union • Unisource • White Castle

Charles Claybrooks coordinates the acquisition and distribution of supplies. Interested in becoming involved? Please contact him at 974-0438 or cclaybrooks@pencilfd.org to donate items or to volunteer at the center.

Acorn Artist Management LLC AIG American General Kyle M. Allen Lenna Allen Allstate Foundation Allstate Insurance Company AmSouth Bank Anonymous (4)  Michelle & Richard Anthony DeVan Ard, Jr. Adam & Kara Arnold  Aspect Community Commitment Fund and Community Foundation Silicon Valley  Atkinson Public Relations Sue Atkinson  AXA Foundation  Bank of America  The Bank of Nashville  Beaman Automotive Group  BellSouth  Belmont University  Richard C. & Linda H. Bernhardt  Roxianne Bethune Blevins, Inc.  St. Clair & George Blue BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee The Blum Family Foundation Charles & Renee Bradford Mr. & Mrs. James C. Bradford, Jr. Bradford Foundation  Mrs. Lawrence Bradley  William J. Bryan, Jr.  Joy & Richard Buck LaWanda Burrell-Love Lisa & John Campbell James S.  Cage Caremark Rx Caterpillar Financial Services  D.F. Chase, Inc. Choice Ministries, Inc. Diane Christie  Constance & Thomas Cigarran John L. Clark, Jr.  Melanie J. Collins  Comcast  Comcast Foundation  Hanna & Jim Compton Thomas Conner  Charles W. Cook, Jr.  Paul E. Cotton  Country Music Association Robert Covington Creative Artists Agency Erin L. Cunningham Jana Joustra Davis   Dell  Teresa Dennis  Gail & Sonnye Dixon  Dollar General Corporation  Lori H. Donahue  Gloria Dumas DuPont  Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence Lake Eakin  Lloyd Elam Elan-Polo, Inc.  Annette S. Eskind Donna & Jeffrey Eskind Laurie & Steve Eskind Rod Essig Ann Ewing

Stratford Principal Brenda Elliott and Jeff Gregg, CAA Agent, smile at the camera looking forward to working together to make their 2005-06 PENCIL partnership a big success.

CAA’s Raffaella Braun, Jeff Gregg, Shannon Casey & Jim Baker arrive at Stratford bearing First Day gifts of flowers, cookies and bright red shiny apples.

Through the Job Skills Training and Employment Program, PENCIL helps the working poor and those receiving public assistance gain the education, training and employability skills needed to achieve economic stability, provide for their families and serve as positive educational role models for their children. With only six full-time employees, nearly 1300 clients were served at PENCIL during last fiscal year.

While the success stories number in the hundreds each year, the following demonstrates the scope of PENCIL’s work and how lives are positively changed.

When a patient account representative unexpectedly lost her two-year job making $13 per hour, she had no choice but seek public assistance to care for her family after frantically, but unsuccessfully, searching for a job for two months. She was referred to PENCIL by the Department of Human Services. Staffing specialist Venson Cawthon soon found that a local medical equipment company needed a medical assistant and sent them her résumé. She was contacted

for an interview the next day. After a second interview, she was hired and scheduled to start work on the following Monday.

Tragically, her mother passed away the day before her new job began. Not wanting to miss work, she went as scheduled and did a wonderful job her first day. When Cawthon learned about her mother’s death, he contacted her employer to share this information. They were so impressed with her attitude and performance that she was told to take the time off she needed. "The job is hers until she returns," her supervisor said. She did indeed return. Today, she can boast a successful career as a medical assistant, a person no longer in need of public assistance.

PENCIL collaborates with the Department of Human Services, local employers and PENCIL Partners to help Nashvillians receive the advocacy and training they need to begin new, life-sustaining and life-changing careers. For more information about JSTEP, contact Jacquelyn Green at 242-3167 x 259 or jgreen@pencilfd.org.

students. The theme was Water Works Wonders. CDM provided all poster materials, certificates of participation, and prizes for winning entries. These outstanding entries will be displayed at the American Water Works Association Conference in September.

CDM (Camp, Dresser & McKee Inc.) sponsored a Drinking Water Week poster contest for Carter-Lawrence Elementary Magnet

At the Metro school board meeting on August 9, PENCIL executive director Connie Williams and her organization were honored when she was presented a certificate signed by schools director Pedro García and board chair Pam Garrett. It recognized PENCIL and its executive director for their “continuing work in making the best resources available to our teachers and students.”

Fifth Third Bank First Tennessee Bank  Robert Fisher  Fleetguard The M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation Samuel M. Fleming Foundation  Chet & Jayme Foster  The Frist Foundation  Mike Fussel William Gamble  Heather A. Gammon  Pedro & Priscilla García Pam Garrett Gaylord Entertainment Company Genesco Gary Gentry Dennis W. Goodwin Joel C. Gordon & Bernice W. Gordon Foundation  Janet L. Goss  Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS  Gail & Steven Greil Mary  Guidry  James Gulmi Robbie Hampton  Hardaway Group Edward Hardin Michael E. Hawkins  HCA  The HCA Foundation  Jewell & Bill Hearn Hecht's  Heery International  Arnold Heiser  Mary Beth & Ted Helm Helen & Neil Hemphill  Ashley Henry Douglas Henry Vurlonda L. Hewitt-Bailey  Denise F. Hickerson  Kevin J. Hooper  Joyce Howard Susan S. Hudgens Mr. & Mrs. James V. Hunt, Sr. Susan Hutchins Martha and Bronson Ingram Foundation*     .      J. Alexander's  John R. Jeske Chris Johnson Ann & Cham Johnston  Beverley A. Jones Kelvin Jones III  Kimberly Kane  Richard Kelley, Jr.  Angie & Jeff Kinman  Sarah L. Knestrick  KraftCPAs Keller Williams Realty Suzanne LafondKenneth Larkin, Jr. Vic Lineweaver Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Lipman Loeb & Loeb LLPThe LP FoundationDrew Maddux  Brent Malak Marsh Ellen Martin The Martin Foundation  Pamela Matthews  Edmund D. McClure  Vanessa J. McPhee The McWhorter Foundation* Nancy Flatt Meador  Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth J. Melkus The Memorial Foundation  Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority  Nikki L. Meyer   Mid-South Wire Company  Monster Labs, Inc. Dena L. Murphy Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce  Nashville Career Advancement Center  Nashville Gas National College of Business & Technology 

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Connie Williams, PENCIL executive director, receives certificate from Pam Garrett, MNPS board chair.

Charles Claybrooks knows PENCIL well, having seen it from a variety of perspectives. He was a Jobs for Tennessee Graduates assistant for three years, and was recently promoted to manage LP PENCIL Box.

A few years ago, he was a student in PENCIL’s Jobs for Tennessee Graduates. His job specialist was Kathleen Bunt, a 16-year PENCIL veteran. Along with JTG peers, Charles was required to study 40 job

competencies, such as making presentations, résumé writing and interviewing techniques.

Ms. Bunt stayed in touch with him after graduation. He enrolled in the Army Reserves and took classes in electrical engineering at Nashville State while working in his family’s restaurant business. When PENCIL needed a JTG assistant three years later, his former job specialist encouraged him to apply.

Charles began working at PENCIL as its JTG database coordinator in spring 2002. When his job took him back into the classroom, he encouraged students to study diligently, develop an education and career plan, and stay in school to get a diploma. He speaks from the heart about his own experiences as a JTG student. “JTG defined what I needed to do after graduation. It prepared me for the next steps in life. Returning to work within the program was a great experience.”

Last year, Charles received his Army Reserves assignment in the mobilization of Noble Eagle. He worked as an army medical regulating officer processing paperwork for injured soldiers. “The skills I learned in JTG and at PENCIL prepared me for my military assignment,” he shares. “It was difficult being away from home, school and work, but it was my duty and an honor to serve.”

Upon his return to PENCIL this spring, he resumed his JTG duties. When the LP PENCIL Box manager’s position became available, he applied. Based upon his qualifications, experience and knowledge of PENCIL and the community, he was promoted. “The best thing about my new job,” he reflects, “is that I know that it will help thousands of Metro kids. I’m very proud.”

Claybrooks

In July, twenty-one students and specialists from Connect To Success, JTG’s drop-out prevention component, toured the campus of Middle Tennessee State University. The students—most in grades 9–11—got an up-close look at college life designed to encourage them to focus upon their future educational plans. The university and what it had to offer impressed them greatly.

Three MTSU students did an excellent job of taking the CTS students to key areas on campus and reflecting upon their own educational experiences. Following the tour, students lunched in the Keathley University Center with college students enrolled in the summer session. Ms. Valerie Hawkins, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, welcomed the high school students and presented them with gift bags as mementos of their university visit.

In the afternoon, CTS students attended a reception sponsored by President and Mrs. McPhee at their home. Mrs. McPhee had made the pastries herself. While in her home, her visitors were given a tour of the residence and made to feel most welcome. At the conclusion of the reception, she invited a hundred JTG students, job specialists and family members to be her guests at the MTSU-Akron University football game during Family Weekend.

More than 20 employees from Louisiana-Pacific Corporation spent their lunch time recently putting together supply boxes for teachers at Head Middle Magnet School, LP’s PENCIL Partner.

Boxes were hand delivered by LP employees to the teachers on August 25. Along with tote bags and coffee mugs, each teacher received reams of paper, binders and a desk organizer filled with school and office supplies. A personalized note was included expressing appreciation for the teacher’s diligence and success in educating young people.

LP relocated its corporate offices to Nashville in July 2004. This is the first year the company has been a

PENCIL Partner. Spearheaded by LP’s Employee Involvement Committee, many support and volunteer efforts are being planned for the school year.

♥ Reading Partners serve elementary students as one-on-one tutors and classroom readers.

♥ Math Partners tutor fifth- and sixth-graders using manipulatives and problem-solving activities.

♥ CHOICES presenters from the business community lead eighth-graders in decision-making seminars.

Last school year the Napier Family Resource Center (FRC) recruited volunteers to read to Napier Elementary students. Parents and residents living in the Tony Sudekum and J.C. Napier communities volunteered to participate. Other volunteers were recruited from FRC partners, including the FACES Program, Nashville Prevention Partnership, and Trauma Intervention Center for Children and Adolescents. PENCIL Partner Purity Dairies Inc. also joined in this community service project.

To prepare volunteers, PENCIL’s Ann Johnston provided the training she has perfected as Reading Partners director. She shared with them effective methods of exploring the world of literature with children and conveying to them their own joy, enthusiasm and love of reading.

Victoria Hughley, parent volunteer, comments, “The program was a good thing, and the children enjoyed it. They see me on the street

and say, ‘Hey, she reads to me in my class.’” Adds Crystal Robinson, FACES clinical therapist, “Our FRC recognizes the connection between reading and academic success. Our literacy program benefits the children, and gives parents a defined role in their children’s education.” Napier FRC plans are to continue promoting literacy at home, school, and in the community.

At the Belle Meade Office Depot on August 2, students, school representatives, members of the nonprofit community, and Office Depot employees gathered to celebrate “Backpack Donation Day”. Eighteen hundred backpacks were presented to seven nonprofits who work with disadvantaged children.

PENCIL received 750 of these backpacks on behalf of Metro students. Nikki Troutman,

PENCIL program manager, comments. “I worked with Office Depot District Manager Richard DeVries to ensure that the backpacks got into the hands of Metro principals before school started. His company’s generosity is to be applauded. On behalf of PENCIL, I just want to say ‘Thank you, Office Depot!’”

Since the inception of Office Depot’s National Backpack Program in 2001, more than 800,000 backpacks have gone to children across North America. Keep that train a-rollin’!

Barry AllenBurnis BandyPeach BowersSandra CollinsKashuna DardenSteve FlowersJonathan GishJane GoughVictoria HughleyBarbara HunterSusan Martin

Elizabeth MorrisBetty Nallnnette ParisherDebbie PeayKathy PleasTammy ReynoldsDoris StewartBertha ThomasKarin WilkersonCheryl WintersMarie Yarbrough

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Eric Maddox, Manager of the Antioch Office Depot store (L) , and Richard DeVries, Office Depot District Manager (R), and event guests

Neste Event Marketing Kathy Nevill Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage, Inc.  Gregory Patterson  Enrico J. Pennisi, Jr. Holly Smith Perry The Pfeffer Foundation Justin Pollack  Alan Powell PrimeTrust Bank  Publix Super Markets Charities The Honorable Bill Purcell  Claire F. Purcell  Purity Dairies, Inc. Eric Raefsky & Victoria Heil Regions Bank Anna Reynolds Jim & Kim Rice  James Rippey, Jr. Robert Orr--SYSCO  Rogers Group, Inc. Laura W. Ross RPM Management, LLC  Leon Ruben  Saint Thomas Hospital Sam's Club Foundation Star & Jeff Sanborn Martine Sanders Nancy Marie Schwartz Vicki Shaw Martin Simmins in memory of Ken KosterW. Lucas Simons Laura Sims Skanska USA Building Inc. Southwestern/Great American, Inc.  Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Sperling in honor of Thomas Conner  Sue Spickard  Starbucks Foundation LaVoneia Steele   SunTrust Bank  Earl Swensson Associates  Andrew G. Ta  Tennsco The Tennessean/Gannett Foundation The Tennessee Credit Union  Tennessee Department of Education  Tennessee Department of Human Services  Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development  Sandia & Mike Thompson Kathy Tompkins Byron Trauger Tuck Hinton Architects  The Cal Turner Family Foundation   United Way of Metropolitan Nashville  United Parcel Service The UPS Foundation U.S. Bank  Vanderbilt University Medical Center  John Van Mol Visteon Nashville Glass Plant Vought Aircraft Industries Betsy Walkup Washington Foundation  Gloria D. WatfordKimberly WatsonShelbie Webster Betty & Bernard Werthan Foundation    Jason West  Whirlpool Foundation  Connie & Ed Williams  Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Williamson Mr. & Mrs. Ridley Wills, II The Oprah Winfrey Foundation   Beth Workman  Shirley Zeitlin Shirley Zeitlin & Company Realtors Xiaoya Zha Frank Zier Raymond & Etta Zimmerman Advisory Fund

*  The Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Thanks goes to the following for their 2004-2005 program involvement:

Byron Trauger, ChairmanPartner – Trauger, Ney & Tuke

Enrico J. Pennisi, Jr., Vice ChairmanManaging Director – Marsh

Marty G. Dickens, TreasurerPresident (Tennessee) – BellSouth

In-Kind DonationsAdventure Science CenterDavid AndersonLaura AngellAthena Health Club & Day SpaBelle Meade PlantationBlue Collar TVBlueraku StudiosBoreman EntertainmentThe Honorable Phil BredesenBuford Lewis CompanyCAO InternationalHarry ChapmanCheekwoodThe Children's Shop/Especially BabyHolly Henson CottonCountry Music AssociationCountry Music Hall of Fame and MuseumCountry Music TelevisionMark DennisDesserts by Lealand RigganDollar GeneralScott Ellis PhotographyBetty FrakesGaylord Entertainment CenterGaylord Entertainment CompanyMargo Fort HallHarley-Davidson of Cool SpringsHecht'sThe HermitageThe Hermitage HotelHorizon Wine & SpiritsHouse of Blues Hotel - A Loews HotelJack Daniel DistilleryAlan JacksonJamie, Inc.Joslin & Son SignsKeystone Business SolutionsWalter KnestrickLegends Golf CourseLoews Vanderbilt Plaza HotelLu Lu Fine AssessoriesMcClain Organizational Servicesgail McdanielMcDonald's Management CompanyReba McEntireThe Nashville SymphonyNashville Trunk & BagNashville ZooOld South LandscapingPace Concerts NashvilleThe Palm Restaurant NashvilleThe Paper PlaceParallel EntertainmentThe Pineapple Room Restaurant at CheekwoodRascal FlattsReal World ToursJulie RobertsRon Shapiro ManagementShindigs & CelebrationsDan SmithSouthwest AirlinesSumner County SchoolsStandard Candy CompanyStarbucksStarstruck EntertainmentThe Trace RestaurantTom Trebing and Trebing Design, Inc.Keith UrbanVaughn Landscape & Construction CompanyThe Oprah Winfrey ShowRebecca Youngblood Designs