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!

                               

Children supporting children

Books are a cherished possession to children and adults alike in developing countries. This photo was taken along the streets of Port-au-Prince during one of our trips in 2011. This dedicated student continued his studies in the pathways snaking through a tent city, making the best of his personal circumstances. His determination to learn and become the best he can be is truly an inspiration to us all.

Kids in the US also inspire us with their kind hearts as they work together for the good of others. And in central Ohio, this is certainly the case.

For the second year in a row, children at Columbus Montessori Education Center raised money to provide for their peers in Haiti. A group of sixteen 4th, 5th and 6th graders sold pizza, held bake sales and embarked on their annual read-a-thon to fund their end-of-the-year class trip. The group far exceeded their goal and the students decided to donate a portion of the proceeds back to their alma mater as well as to a charity that the class selected.

We are honored to be the recipients of their generous spirits again in 2012. TRTP Vice President, Sonya, was on hand to receive a check from Diane, the class room parent, on the last day of school.

Sonya and Diane

And what better way to use school funds than to buy books for another school?

St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children's library was a complete loss after the earthquake of 2010. Thankfully, new shelves have been built in the current location and donations are coming in to purchase books in Kreyol, French and Braille to fill them.

With books ranging from $5 - $10 each, Columbus Montessori's donation of $250, matched by The Red Thread's donation of $250, will be able to fill a few of those empty shelves!

If you, your child's school, your company or anyone you know might like to be involved in the education of physically challenged children in Haiti, we encourage you to help The Red Thread purchase additional books for the students of St. Vincent's.

Donations can be made via check or online. Please be sure to mark the memo line with "St. Vincent's books". For electronic donations, please use the PayPal button located on the right sidebar. If you prefer snail mail, our mailing address is at the top of the page on the right.

Help put smiles on the faces of St. Vincent's students who will benefit from your gifts.

Light in the Darkness

With all of the news of the devastation in Haiti, there is a bit of light in the darkness. A group of 14 seventh and eighth graders in a small Montessori school in Ohio decided to help.

After hearing the news on Tuesday, I asked for permission to do a presentation at my children's school on Wednesday afternoon to suggest a community service project for the children. As always, they welcomed me into the class during their community meeting at the end of the school day.

You see, I was already Haiti-bound prior to the earthquake. Plans had been made and tickets had been purchased for me to accompany Kathy on the next ESL trip Jan 30 - Feb 5. We were organizing a supply collection of items that are expensive to purchase in Haiti to take along for the orphanage. I was tasked with 2T and 3T toddler pull-ups as well as children's chewable vitamins. Following the news of the earthquake, it seemed like it was even more important that we gather as much as American Airlines will allow us to carry in our suitcases!

So, I met with the kids. We sat in the small ampi-theater and they listened to me tell about my involvement with The Red Thread. We discussed the earthquake, the Richter magnitude scale, the island of Hispanola, the unemployment and poverty of Haiti, Rivers of Hope orphanage and Mountain Top Ministries. They asked thoughtful questions such as:

• Why is the unemployment level so high?
• Are there not enough jobs?
• Do people not want the jobs?
• How can people live on so little?
• How many people are hurt?
• Do you know how many died?

Then we talked about ways they could help. I told them about the pull-ups and the vitamins. But they wanted to know what else was on the list since it wasn't enough just to collect those items. Then one of them suggested doing a pizza fundraiser for the entire elementary school and everyone readily agreed. They even decided to write an article for the school newspaper and made fliers for the fundraiser (which were in the parent mailboxes today!).

As students were picked up by their parents, they told them excitedly about the items they "have to go buy". For them, helping wasn't something to think about doing—it was what they were going to do and they had already begun! When I left the classroom, my heart was ready to burst. These kids were on fire and so willing to help people that they will probably never meet.

We can learn something from these children. Even at 11, 12, 13 and 14 years old, we can join these young adults and be compassion in action. I can't wait to see what these kids accomplish. Regardless of the amount of money or supplies, it will be something to be remembered.