When I talk to people about school fundraising, I talk about the power of a community. The idea is that when people come together to work toward one common goal, they can make a HUGE difference. I’ve seen it happen on a global level with Simple Gifts Project as well as at schools where they do a toy or clothing drive for underprivileged schools in their city, but this past week I was particularly moved by one story in my community and how sharing the story snowballed into an incredible outpouring of giving.
A 17-year old boy and his mother have been living in a car for the past ten months. They moved here from Hawaii for a job that didn’t work out. The mom is in her mid 50’s, educated and hard working, but she has only been able to get part time work. They have been living on food stamps. The son wears the same clothes to school every day and doesn’t have warm clothes for winter. He continues to go to school and keep up his grades through all of it. He doesn’t drink or smoke or do drugs. He goes to the library after school to do homework and use a computer and stays there until they close. After that, he goes back to the car to sleep. He has done this consistently for 10 months. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge, he also has Pericarditis – a swelling of the sack around his heart and no insurance to help. All he wanted was a warm place to sleep for him and his mom by Christmas. Heartbreaking.
When my friend Jennifer heard this story, she knew she had to do something. She shared their story not only with the thousands of people who subscribe to her daily emails, but also on her Facebook page. The story spread far and wide. I don’t know anyone who could hear this story and NOT be moved to help in some way or another. But what followed in the days after this story was shared was mind blowing. It was the power of one community working together.
A pediatric cardiologist offered to take care of his heart issues pro bono. Several people offered to help the mom with her resume and help her get a job. Hundreds of people sent gift cards for them to have clothes, gas and food. Another family gave them their guesthouse to live in and some fabulous “elves” put up a Christmas tree and decorated it for them to help make their holiday a little brighter.
This mother and son’s lives have been changed forever — as have the lives of the generous people who gave so selflessly. This will be one holiday season that they will remember, I’m sure, with hope and gratitude. This story fills my heart with joy. It reminds me that people are truly good. And when we come together as a community to do something, we are unstoppable.
I hope 2014 brings all good things to you and your families and remember that great things happen when we work as a team!
If you would be so kind as to share with me one thing you are grateful for in the comments below I would love that! Also, please share this post if you know someone who could benefit from reading it.
If I can help you in any way in 2014, please let me know!
Sarah
Sarah has been fundraising for schools since 2008. She is the author of A Mom’s Guide to School Fundraising and has consulted for several schools and clubs. She has been featured on RetailMeNot.com, Scholastic: Parent & Child and The New York Times. She thinks all kids should be able to have a well-rounded education, team uniforms, instruments and support. Don’t you?