Paul and Nichole Pichon could not be more appreciative of what’s been done for their Pine Island Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program through the local Elks Lodge. Due to the recent pandemic, the Pichons have decided upon virtual communication with the kids in the program.

“I think it would be irresponsible of us to hold the program with kids from six different schools,” said Pichon.

She feels the schools have enough on their plate trying to reorganize so many kids without adding to that by tossing the kids all together in an after school program. Community involvement will be key to the new structure of the program and they are seeking a few people to help.

“One of the things that we’re thinking of is getting a lot more of the community involved in PILOT by having them read to the kids,” said Pichon.

According to Pichon, sending recordings of yourself reading an approved book would be a really easy way to help out with the program on your own time, even from your own home. She explained that audio recordings being emailed versus the more complicated project of making videos, with the utilization of some the equipment given by the Elks Lodge, to record the pages in order to sync them to the volunteer readings. Pichon said anyone interested in crafting is also welcome to bring that gift to the program.

“We would have to work with them a little more because that would have to be a video project,” said Pichon, “but if they’re interested in doing any kind of craft project for kids of any age, they could record it and we could buy the supplies.”

Currently, the plan is to buy supplies for a month at a time and deliver them to PILOT kids so they have everything they need at home for projects they’ll be doing. This will offset having to go out each week to deliver project supplies to 50-plus kids.

“We’re excited,” said Pichon, “because I think we’re going to be able to do more than we normally do in the program.”

By this, Pichon said, there will be more one-on-one via Zoom, in order to check in on the kids. She says their 15-minute time slots will stay the same each week. If they need additional help, for example, with homework, that will be scheduled, as Pichon said a great deal of the time they spend with the kids is focused specifically on that.

“I think we’re going to be able to do more fun and artsy things with the kids,” said Pichon. “More enrichment type things.”

Pichon also wants to encourage people who have no time but want to help offset the cost of supplies, to donate. Checks can be sent directly to Pine Island Methodist Church, with PILOT in the memo section. Additionally, the PILOT program has an Amazon wish list, where items it needs can be purchased. You can also visit the website pineislandmethodist.com

Pine Island United Methodist Church is at 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922. For more about the church, call 239-283-2386.