BUENA PARK, CA – Beatty Middle School will provide some 20 students with backpacks, physical education clothes, notebooks and writing utensils thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Orange County Korean American Lions Club (OCKALC).

Members of the OCKALC were welcomed onto the campus, where Principal Erik Bagger led a tour of the school’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lab, offices and classrooms. Bagger said the money will go a long way to make some students feel at home at Beatty.

“Some of our families are in need of basic supplies and this will help alleviate a significant burden while ensuring their children have what they need to succeed,” said Dr. Elsie Simonovski, the District’s director of child welfare and attendance. “Having PE clothes, a new backpack and supplies will create a connection between those students and the school. We know that connectivity between students, their community and school leads to higher achievement.”

OCKALC Youth Program Coordinator Steven Kang said the organization wanted to provide a local school and its community with some financial assistance during distance learning.

“It feels great to contribute because we’re all supposed to help each other,” Kang said. “It’s a difficult time and we all need to pitch in. I hope this helps some families that are struggling during this time and we want to reach out to more of our members for more donations in the future.”

Kang said the organization plans to provide annual donations to the District and hopes that some future funding can pay for technology offerings,

“A special thank-you to the Orange County Korean American Lions Club for their generous donation, which will assist some of our families in need,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “These types of donations show what a close and kind community we have.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BUENAPARK_DONATION1: (Left to right) Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes and Beatty Middle School Principal Erik Bagger accept at $2,000 donation from Orange County Korean American Lions Club President James Choi, General Secretary Jungsup Cha and Youth Program Coordinator Steven Kang. The donation will be used to purchase backpacks, gym clothes and school supplies for socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

BUENAPARK_DONATION2: (Left to right) Beatty Middle School Principal Erik Bagger gives a tour of his school’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lab to Orange County Korean American Lions Club Youth Program Coordinator Steven Kang, General Secretary Jungsup Cha and President James Choi. The OCKALC members visited the campus to donate $2,000 for the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students.