On Aug. 29, 2005, a few months after Dick Flesher retired as a high school teacher, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region. Watching the relief efforts, Flesher said he knew he had to do something.

Within a few weeks, Flesher had organized volunteers and received donations of supplies worth more than $750,000, and distributed them after the hurricane left thousands homeless and without schools.

Shortly thereafter, Flesher founded Schools Counts, a nonprofit that continues to supply public schools in troubled areas throughout the country.

The organization provides musical instruments, uniforms, sporting goods, winter coats and other necessities.

“After 34 years of teaching, I still loved kids, and forming Schools Count allowed me to continue serving and help educate kids,” Flesher said.

Flesher taught business and social studies at La Grange Township High School prior to teaching at Hinsdale Central.

The Mokena resident said his broader goal is to raise awareness for the plight of public education, particularly in the inner cities of major metropolitan areas like Detroit.

“Every kid deserves a good public school education,” Flesher said.

Notable
Has helped distribute $1.75 million worth of supplies and cash to public schools and areas in need since forming Schools Count four years ago

& quotable
“When you reach out to help others, you help yourself — you become humble and a little less selfish.””

Philosophy
• People are good, you need to learn to trust people
• His father taught him if you don’t like the state of things, do something about it

Favorites
VACATION Somewhere quiet, with a river or lake, with plenty of natural habitat
FOOD Spaghetti and meatballs
HOBBIES Reading nonfiction, travel, campaigning for candidates