BEVERLY — The city launched a local chapter of Stand for Children — just in time to join hundreds of other members at the Statehouse for a rally in support of public education.

Stand for Children is part of a grass-roots organization urging increased state education funding from Beacon Hill. After forming the local affiliate earlier this month, on Tuesday 12 Beverly residents, including political leaders and parents and grandparents of kids from each of the five elementary schools, joined hundreds of Stand for Children members from more than 100 communities to let legislators know how much they care about education.

"Having a Stand chapter means that we will be linked into their network with access to information from other communities, calendars with key dates of happenings at the Statehouse, and opportunities to be involved at the most basic level or in a leadership role," said Julie DeSilva, a Beverly chapter leader. "We will have a seat at the table with people who want to help shape the direction of education in Massachusetts and beyond."

The rally was one of the first ways the local community was involved. The Beverly contingent met with Rep. Mary Grant and delivered a half-inch stack of postcards with messages of support for quality education for all children, DeSilva said. Another stack of Beverly postcards was delivered to Sen. Fred Berry's office.

"In total, 7,552 postcards were delivered to legislators with the message that even in tough times there are things that can and must be done to limit the damage done to public education in this recession," DeSilva said.

She highlighted using federal stimulus funds to increase school aid, new local revenue sources and changes in legislation surrounding health care that would allow cities and towns to realize significant savings on health benefits.

DeSilva, along with fellow moms Kris Silverstein and Deb Ploszay, helped gather together enough support to launch the organization on a local level. Earlier this month, more than 50 parents, elected officials and concerned residents gathered at the Beverly Public Library, and there was enough interest to form an official chapter.

With many schools still trying to recover from a cut in state aid in 2003 and 2004, it's important that parents show how important education is to them, especially during the budget season, Silverstein said.

"The more adults stand together for children," she said, "the more lawmakers will support programs and reforms that give all kids an equal opportunity for education."