SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coral & Blue Paper Co., a local children’s stationery company, is on a mission to encourage gratitude, thoughtfulness and creativity by helping continue the tradition of writing Thank You notes.
After forging a relationship with a school in Africa, the company has recently gained support from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs to boost the school’s charitable efforts.
Burundi is one of the poorest nations in the world and has experienced civil war, political strife, genocide and ethnic cleansing within the last 15 years. Traditional schools are only available in the cities, with little access to education among the mostly rural population.
Named for the colors of classic elementary lines, Coral & Blue Paper Co. creator Ashely Campbell designed the stationery after searching the market unsuccessfully for a product that met the needs of elementary-aged children.
Connecting with a school in Burundi, Africa, the company provided paper stationery supplies to its students in a country where blank paper is a novelty. With access to these supplies, they are practicing penmanship, reading, writing, art, and public speaking using the cards.
“The people of Burundi stole my heart from day one and it has been such an honor to learn about the country and its beautiful people through this connection,” Campbell said, in a prepared statement.
Over the last year, this partnership has evolved from providing the school with stationery in their native language to delivering a fully sponsored school program attended by more than 5,000 children supplying drinks, food, school supplies to the attendees at the cost of approximately $2,500. Last Christmas, Coral & Blue also provided supplies and small gifts to the children purchased in-country to help support local economies.
This holiday season, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Saratoga Springs supports Coral & Blue’s Burundi Mission by continuing to provide support to the school. The public can donate to the mission by clicking on the church’s giving portal, which may be accessed by going to: spalutheran.org. Donations are also accepted by mail or church drop-off, located at 149 Lake Ave. Please include a note that the donation is for the Mission to Serve.
For more information about Coral & Blue, go online to: coralandblue.com
