Compassion

This past week, our school had the opportunity to participate in two different Haitian relief efforts. We took part in our state department’s hygiene kit program and also a Hats for Haiti fundraiser. Cole had seen on the news that another school allowed the kids to wear hats to school if they donated $1 to the relief efforts. He mentioned the idea to our principal and she told him yes, if he had a sponsor. I willingly offered to be his sponsor because I wanted to encourage and support him in doing something compassionate for others. I’m so glad I did!

Our school district raised enough money to purchase  110 kits to add to the kits the students brought to school. We ended up taking over 376 kits collected this past week. The kits included a full size shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, a hand towel and a comb. Our elementary goal was to collect 10o kits and we ended up with 273 from the elementary alone. That is practically two kits per three students. I know times are hard for people and this effort came on the heels of a fundraiser for Camp Barnabas, so I was truly overwhelmed with the generosity of our students, teachers and community.

 

Most of all, I’m so proud that my son has a heart that is compassionate. I hope that age and the world will not change his heart. He recognizes the need to help others in need. Period.

Taking the boxes to Convoy of Hope yesterday filled a place in my heart that I will not soon forget. Each and every person we met at Convoy  was friendly, kind and hard-working. They even let Shelly back her truck up to the loading dock so they could unload all of the boxes for us.

 

Although our efforts may seem meager compared to the enormity of needs we have in our country and others, it’s so humbling to know that we have the opportunity to be able to help in some small way.

A super special thanks to my friends, Shelly and Kristi, for staying at school with me until 10 PM on Monday, to count, sort, package and load the boxes to be taken yesterday.  They are amazing!

 

 

We also got to see one of my dad’s childhood friends.  He helped Cole unload everything.  :) (This made it even more special!)

I prayed over the kits in hopes that they will be given to children who will feel blessed, in some small way, amidst all the tragedy that they have seen and endured since the January 12th earthquake.