Dennis DeBalso
Hickory, N.C.
Class of 1979
Major: Accounting
My passion is helping children learn. While one of my jobs is being a substitute teacher, what I am proud of is the book drive that I started 11 years ago.
Every fall school season we do a book drive for a local elementary school. When I first started it, I was sponsored by the local Mensa group. It was for a local orphanage. In addition to any donations from fellow members, I got donations from local bookstores.
After four years, I moved away from Charlotte, so I had to change the recipient of the books. There was no orphanage in the Hickory area, so I chose a local elementary school. Because I wanted a local sponsor, I asked my church youth group if they would sponsor me. Last year, I collected 569 books for the kids.