Hillside Receives Second Donation of Desks from Howard Lott

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Andrea Andera, principal of Hillside Elementary, received a second donation of four desks from Harrison residents Howard and Jackie Lott. They have now donated eight portable handmade desks with two more in the making.

Lott saw portable desks sold on television and knew he could make them to help students without a place to do schoolwork at home.

“There are a lot of guys like me sitting around wondering what to do during the virus, and they got lumber and time.”

The desks easily fold and slide under a bed or lean against a wall. They are only two and a quarter inches thick. He has made different sizes for all ages of students.

Jackie Lott said her husband’s passion to do something to help has become like a job. He’ll stay out in his workshop until five in the afternoon.

Lott writes each child a letter to go with the desk [see box]. They have received several thank you notes from the students who received the first desks. He leaves it to Andera to choose the children who may need a desk.

As the homeless liaison for the district, Andera is juggling the many needs of not only virtual students and teachers at Hillside, but also the homeless students still in need of support services.

Andera said the donors are scarce for the usual programs they run this time of year. Last year they matched more than 15 families with sponsors for Christmas gifts and groceries for the student’s entire family.

Homeless students who are on track to graduate often go without the normal memorabilia and senior year traditions because of the cost. Cap and gown fees can be paid for through the program, but extras aren’t in the budget.

“These kids have had a rough road, yet they have overcome to graduate,” Andera said. “We can accept donations to help give them those extras.”