THANK YOU :: Columbus Montessori

A big shout out to long-time supporters from Columbus Montessori Education Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Upper Elementary class, kids in grades 4-6, conduct various activities and fundraisers throughout the school year to pay for their end-of-year trips. The group always designates a charity to receive 20% of their earnings. For the 4th consecutive year, that charity is The Red Thread Promise!

                                 

Alumni parent and TRTP VP, Sonya, was on hand this week during the school's graduation celebration to receive the check from a representative of the Upper Elementary class. We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of these young people in supporting other kids. Thank you for your continued support and best wishes to all of the graduates!

                               

HAITI :: Critical time-sensitive request for host family in Columbus, Ohio

Meet Princess. 

Her story is heart-wrenching, but there's hope on the horizon. Long story short, she was born with a serious heart defect that MUST be operated on & quickly. Thankfully, Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, OH) has stepped up to the plate!!! Just this morning a host family was found to house Princess and her mom when they come to the US for her surgery - hopefully in May! 

This is where we need your help. We are looking for a backup host family. Why? Because sometimes things don't turn out as planned - families have emergencies, kids get sick, jobs are lost, circumstances change. Our goal is to find a second family - people with a big heart, extra space and ready access to Nationwide. 

Interested in becoming a host? 
Email us and we'll give you all of the details available at this time. 

Want to help? 
You can do so via PayPal or by sending a check to:

The Red Thread Promise
249 N Belfield Avenue
Havertown, PA 19083

Be sure to mark "Princess" in the memo line.

Many thanks to Morna Smith from Nationwide Children's Hospital for reaching out to us for help! It is both our duty and our pleasure. And thank you to John Carroll from Haitian Hearts for bringing light to this child's needs and for his work on behalf of the Haitian people. Together, we can make a lasting difference!

For more info on Princess:

http://blogs.pjstar.com/haiti/2014/02/27/princess-buggie/

http://blogs.pjstar.com/haiti/2014/04/13/princess-is-still-fighting/

As we wait for her VISA to be processed and for her arrival in Columubs, please keep this child and her family in your thoughts and prayers over the next few critical weeks. Of course, we'll keep you up-to-date on her progress. 

Small children, BIG hearts!

TRTP Vice President, Sonya, receiving the check
from Columbus Montessori graduate

We've said it before and we'll say it again:

We absolutely LOVE when kids 

get involved in our mission!

For the 3rd year running, The Red Thread Promise has been the recipient of funds raised by a group of elementary children from Columbus Montessori Education Center in central Ohio. 

The school's Upper Elementary class—consisting of 4th, 5th and 6th graders—operated their own pizza business during the school year. Students organized and implemented all day-to-day operations, including order taking and pizza delivery, and were responsible for managing both profits and expenses throughout the duration of the project.

And, wow, did their hard work paid off:

• it funded 100% of their end-of-year class trip to Cincinnati
• it allowed them to help others within their own school community - 20% of the proceeds was gifted back to Columbus Montessori in support of the school's beautiful new labyrinth
• it allowed students to make a global difference for needy and orphaned children - 20% of the proceeds was gifted to The Red Thread Promise, providing hope and healing to little ones in China, Haiti and the USA

The awards and graduation ceremony

Not only was the project a very successful fundraiser, but a hands-on learning opportunity for the entire class. In addition to lessons about running a business, students learned about philanthropy, giving back to their own community as well as those they may never meet. These are invaluable life-lessons that will never be forgotten by both those who participated in the fundraiser as well as those who benefit from their generosity.

To those young people we say THANK YOU and encourage them to follow our work via this blog, website, and Facebook page to see how their donations are put to good use.