Matthews Children's Foundation, a nonprofit organization associated with Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, recently presented a check for $1,000 to Manheim-based Bible2School. The program provides free elective Bible classes during the school day to elementary students attending public school.

As Bible2School CEO Kori Pennypacker explained, the Pittsburgh-based foundation supports children's charities across the country by awarding grants three times a year. Since its inception in 1992, the foundation has granted nearly $5 million to community-based nonprofits. Recipients must be recommended by a Matthews Aurora funeral home partner, and for Bible2School, that recommendation came from William P. Spence Funeral & Cremation Services in Manheim.

"I'm delighted with the board's choice of Bible2School to receive our most recent donation," said Derek Miller, business development director for Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions. "It was very rewarding to hear from Kori and Megan (Risser, Bible2School's donor engagement officer) firsthand that our funds will help them update their curriculum this year."

Pennypacker noted that every few years, Bible2School updates lessons for relevancy. "Our curriculum team has been working on getting these updates complete, and the next step is printing new books," she stated.

Bible2School is currently looking for volunteers because there are children on a waitlist for the program. As Pennypacker explained, volunteers are needed just two hours a week, typically over lunch. "We are looking for small group leaders and large group teachers," she stated. "We provide curriculum and materials so volunteers can focus their energy into developing (mentoring) relationships with the children."

Manheim programs are held Mondays through Thursdays for students who attend Baron Elementary School and Doe Run Elementary. Second-grade students from Doe Run meet on Mondays, with third-graders meeting on Tuesdays and fourth-graders meeting on Wednesdays. Second-grade students from Baron meet on Tuesdays, with third-graders meeting on Wednesdays and fourth-graders meeting on Thursdays. Programs are held off-site from the schools.

Anyone who loves children and Jesus and who has a flexible schedule during the day makes a perfect volunteer, Pennypacker remarked. "It takes just two hours each week for volunteers to build consistent, caring relationships with children and share God's love with them through the Bible," she said.

For more information on volunteering, visit http://www.bible2school.com/volunteer.