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The impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have been deeply felt by everyone – especially children in school who have had to adapt to remote learning and frequent shifts in school openings and closings. In keeping with its core value of community stewardship, Larson Design Group (LDG) has joined an effort to help a local school district face the challenges of providing safe, reliable remote learning environments.
Throughout the month of November, LDG and other local businesses are supporting Camp Susque, which has been hosting “learning sites” for the Williamsport Area School District: a location offering internet access to those children whose families may not have it at home. When schools initially closed in the spring, the camp, located in Trout Run, offered an internet hot spot in its parking lot for students.
However, with summer now over and many parents back to work after initial spring lockdowns, some students might be left with no adult supervision on remote learning days. Camp Susque knew its space at the camp alone wouldn’t be enough when observing social distancing guidelines, so it reached out to churches it has partnered with in the past, and an entire network of learning sites was born where students can access internet, have adult supervision and get help with schoolwork if needed. Meals and other activities are also offered at the sites, which are free of charge to students K-3 and are in areas near elementary schools in the district.
Naturally, the camp is incurring expenses to pay staff and install or upgrade internet at the various sites – so others are stepping in to help. LDG is one of several community businesses partnering with Alabaster Coffee on its “Community Cup” fundraiser, in which they donate a portion of each cup sold of a specialty drink and the participating business match that amount. This year, the drink is the popular Campfire Cappuccino, which is sweetened with smoked syrup harvested from maple trees at the camp and topped with a toasted homemade marshmallow. Until the end of November, Alabaster is donating $2 per cup sold and business partners like LDG are matching that amount, bringing the per-cup donation to $24.
“LDG is proud to hold firm to our core value of community stewardship by supporting Camp Susque’s mission to provide an accessible, welcoming learning environment for students,” said Ashley Heinnickel, Chief Marketing Officer. “Making sure children are safe and that they have equitable access to education is always important, but especially crucial during the unprecedented times we’re experiencing right now.”
Founded in 1986, Larson Design Group is an award-winning national architecture, engineering and consulting firm with 12 offices in five states and a vision to elevate client relationships, enrich the careers and lives of its employee-owners, and enhance the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.larsondesigngroup.com.
The health and safety of our team members and clients is our top priority. Click here to read about LDG’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.