Pack a Pack

When we first explained Kev's deployment to the boys late this Spring, one of Cullen's first questions was "Are there bad guys there?"

We gently explained to him that not all people are as lucky as we are to live safely and comfortably, and that Kev would be deploying in order to help the 'good guys' keep their country safe.

 But over the next few days, that conversation got me thinking:
There is no better way to explain what service means to our young boys than by actually serving.

So I decided that while Kev was gone (and continuing into the future after he returns) that we would do a monthly service project at home in order to help others who are not an fortunate as we are, not only because we are called to do so, but also to help the boys better understand Kev's mission, and that there are many people around us who are suffering as well.

I knew I wanted our first project to really being something they could identify with, so it needed to be about kids and amazingly, I know a lot of incredible people who selflessly work with unprivileged children.

One of these special people is a former student of mine from my high school teaching days. 

Kelsey applied for and was accepted to Teach For America following her time at Virginia Teach and not only was awarded the Valari Mathis Camp Award of Excellence: Teacher of the Year but also decided to stay on staff at Toomer Elementary School in Atlanta after her two year commitment was up. She was easily the first person I thought about to want to help, so a few months ago I asked if there was anything her classroom needed and that is when I found out that many of her students come to school with nothing. 

No lunch. No supplies. No backpack. 

And that wasn't it, she also informed me that:

 I have 17 students on my "case load", whom I teach in a special education classroom and serve as their case manager. I teach in Atlanta Public Schools, an overwhelming poor district with 76% of its 49,000 students receiving free or reduced lunch. Atlanta Public Schools is one of the lowest five public school systems in the nation, according to standardized test scores and retention rates. Last, Atlanta Public Schools is the district that underwent mass scrutiny two years ago for the infamous standardized test (CRCT) cheating scandal, that invalidated hundreds of students test scores. 10% of students receive special education services (not including english language learners). The dropout rate of 9-12th grade students has increased in the last 5 years to over 10%. 

After a few emails back and forth, I knew what we needed to do.

Service Project #1:

Pack a Pack

Over lunch on Monday afternoon, I talked to the boys again about where Kev is and what he is doing and how important it is for us to help other people. We talked about how fun it is to go to Target to get new things and how excited they are to pick out supplies for school. And then I told them that there are many boys and girls just like them who can't do that quite so easily, but how blessed those children are that they have a good school and a loving teacher, and that our family has the ability to help their school year be great. 

Then we set off to Target to fill two backpacks full of supplies. 

The boys were so awesome. 

They debated over which color folders the kids would like best, they picked out lunch boxes, they insisted that crayons were a must even though they weren't on Ms. Muffler's original list...and they never once asked for anything for themselves.

 I couldn't have been more proud of their big hearts that were so excited to help their 'new friends'.

 But 2 is not 17, so here is where you all come in. I am so grateful that my blog is public and that I am able to share our lives with all of you, but I also am excited that I can use it to spread goodness.

So will you help us?

Will you pledge a backpack full of supplies for a child who will walk into their first day of class without any?

Kelsey and two of her 'adopted' boys

My goal is to send Kelsey 22 backpacks (her entire class plus 5 students she has 'adopted') but I am so confident we can do more. 

Kelsey and her parents with her students

Kelsey's 'adopted' kids

If you are interested in joining our mission, please email me, text me, facebook me..whatever... just let me know that you are in so I can keep count and give you the address to send them too. 

(PS If you are in the DC area, you can bring them to me and I will take care of shipping. And if you are in the Atlanta area, I will put you in contact with Kelsey.)

Can't wait to hear from all you helpful people, and if nothing else, am so proud of my boys for understanding the idea of service, their Daddy for being the ultimate teacher of it for them, and for my student-turned-friend Kelsey who is working so hard every day to give her students a fighting chance. 

*****
Updated: Kelsey would love to show her students how many people want to help them, in her own words:
Thank you all so much for your immediate response and generosity. It means the world to me and my students and will make such a difference in not only their educational successes, but also their self confidence and understanding and realization of self worth. You all are wonderful.

Feel free to email me pics of packing your backpack or upload an image to instagram with the #packapack