by Marian Pontz
Teachers are generous. According to the most recent survey, 95% of teachers reach into their own wallets to support their students. They spend an average of $895 of their own money, yes, on school supplies, but also on students' needs like winter coats, boots, sneakers, eyeglasses, and more. That amount does not include the additional school fund drives that teachers donate to help families in trauma, local charities that make their open school day pitch, and scholarship funds and education associations. There is always someone in need, and there will always be teachers who open their wallets to help.
The gifts given to teachers for the holidays and Teacher Appreciation Week, from coffee mugs to t-shirts, to candles and knick-knacks, are always appreciated, but too often they end up being donated or stored for a few years and eventually tossed in the landfill. It's not that we don't appreciate the gesture; we just have so much room for another coffee mug.
Instead, why not let your teacher's gift have a true impact? Spend or invest your money in a non-profit that helps teachers do their work and take care of their students. If homelessness is a problem in your school district (And it is, because it is a problem in every district in Lancaster County), why not buy a gift for your beloved teacher by donating to the nonprofit that supports students having a home? If your child’s teacher loves biking, why not support a nonprofit that provides bikes to students? If they love animals, buy a gift for a non-profit that supports local shelters or sanctuaries. You can make your gift specific to their interests and passions. You can show them that you, too, are interested in making sure the community is cared for and supported.
There will be over 30 non-profit organizations at the Gifts that Give Hope Fair, October 10, 2026, from 10-4 at the Farm and Home Center on Acadia Road. You and your child can walk the fair, talk with the representatives, and decide which cause best represents their teacher. The discussion may inspire your child to learn more about these groups and to explore how, as a family, you can get involved. In choosing the best non-profit to donate to, they are also learning about a world beyond what they currently know. You are building empathy and understanding, and a connection to their community.
Each day, teachers dedicate themselves not only to educating their students but also to caring for them and their families. We know our impact does not stop in those building walls but lasts long after our time together. We are working to build a better world for all our children. Why not buy a gift for your favorite educator that also has a lingering positive effect on the world? Trust me, they will appreciate your efforts, praise your wise spending, and be encouraged that the lessons they have been trying to instill in all of their students: care for others, do good, respect all living things, and make a positive impact, have been learned and are evidenced in your Gift of Hope Fair purchase.
