A recent editorial in The Pilot about mentoring school kids mentioned Communities in Schools (CIS), an organization dedicated to helping kids stay in school and prepare for a productive life.

CIS has joined this nationally acclaimed network, which has championed the connection of needed community resources with schools for over 30 years.

Its members believe every child needs and deserves what they call "The Five Basics": A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult; a safe place to learn and grow; a healthy start and a healthy future; a marketable skill to use upon graduation and a chance to give back to peers and the community.

CIS offers services to all 22 Moore County schools, and a total of 1,961 students received Level One Services, general services provided by CIS to the school at large, including school supplies, assemblies, events, career fairs, field trips and health screenings. Eight hundred thirty-seven students received Level Two Services, direct services provided through CIS initiatives, including mentoring and career programs.

Grants awarded to Moore County schools through CIS included $58,000 for 2006-2007 and $145,000 for 2007- 2008.

Last fall, before schools opened, CIS volunteers stood outside Wal-Mart and Staples asking customers to consider buying extra school supplies for kids who couldn't afford all the needed paper, pencils, notebooks etc. I previously asked a shopping mom how much she spent for one of her kid's supplies, and she indicated it was around $50.

The program is called "Stuff the Bus," and generous shoppers contributed more than $22,000 in supplies. A familiar yellow school bus outside the entrance was chock-full as a result. CIS and United Way volunteers delivered the supplies.

In November, Congressman Howard Coble came to Aberdeen Elementary School, where he visited classrooms, the CIS Aberdeen Family Resource Center and the FirstSchool Garden. The vegetable garden is the result of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation grant awarded to CIS.

The Resource Center was a decrepit old storage building which CIS, Moore County Home Builders Association and Moore County Schools turned into a bright space for teachers, kids and parents to enjoy. Its goal is to be a site that provides students a safe place to learn and grow while implementing family strengthening by encouraging and enhancing parental involvement.

Coble's tour ended in the school's FirstGarden, which was inspired by and managed by CIS Board Chairwoman Kathy Byron. Students and teachers maintain the garden, which is a learning tool that teaches about healthy eating. Starting from scratch, students hauled in soil, planted vegetables, nurtured them and harvested them, just in time for Thanksgiving and Coble's visit. Garden broccoli was made into soup and offered to the congressman.

Coble admitted that he, like former President George H.W. Bush, was not a big fan of broccoli. But, being a good sport, he swallowed a second helping with pleasure.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Moore Regional Hospital provided CIS a grant enabling the FirstGarden project. Two more gardens are planned this spring.

The Compass Project was established through a CIS grant from the federal government to help local middle school students stay in school and develop positive skills through mentoring.

CIS was also awarded another grant by Americorps Vista volunteers to help students stay in school and supply tomorrow's work force.

This grant provides for three Vista volunteers for three years to help with CIS programs.

Mentor Mavericks is a CIS program providing mentoring services to students at risk of falling behind in their classes. CIS helps provide resources to remove or diminish barriers to students' success.

First Books "Read With Me Day" is a CIS program with over 600 books donated by partnering McGraw-Hill.

Another CIS project, with help from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Moore Regional Hospital, is the "Get Fit Fitness Trail" behind Aberdeen Elementary School. This one-mile course with circuit training provides students, teachers and community with a safe, accessible location for outdoor exercise.

The Hospitality and Golf Academy is a CIS initiative supporting our three county high schools to expose interested students to the golf and hospitality industries through internships.

Partnering with CIS are Pinehurst Resort, Sandhills Community College and Sandhills Hospitality Association. Students can earn both high school and college credit for participating.

The North Carolina Governor's Page Program is another CIS project allowing Hospitality and Golf Academy students to spend a week in Raleigh as governor's pages to learn the roles and functions of state government.

The First Tee Program includes CIS as a partner, and participants are taught many of golf's values including honesty, integrity, respect, courtesy and judgment.

Moore County Communities in Schools is a wonderful organization providing extra incentives to qualified kids who might otherwise leave school. For more information contact Andi Korte, andikorte@yahoo.com.

Andy Thomas lives in Pinehurst. Contact him at dahtmuth58@aol.com.