I have spent hours screaming and ranting racking my brain this week, trying to figure out the best way to make this work. Here is what I came up with!
If you had asked me last weekend what I would be doing over Spring Break, I would have given you a list a mile long of things I wanted to do, create, blog about. See the Lorax was on the top of my list. Hasn’t happened YET! Tomorrow?? I actually read my blog post right before Spring Break a few minutes ago promising all these new units and pictures…oopsie! I have learned that sometimes our plans are not always God's plans and he has something better in store.
My children experienced the same thing. They had planned to sleep in every day but instead their youth group scraped and painted a house that was very much in need of some loving. They wanted to make the outside as beautiful as the person on the inside. 🙂 I spent the last three days being a glorified taxi driver and host home to the girls who participated in their work camp. Um, how do you get paint out of HAIR??? Here is what they did (before and after):
Now, the Radke family was not born with halos people. Remember, we put fun in dysFUNctional! My crazy sweet teenagers really did give their all this week but on any normal day I have to spank, threaten, ground from cell phones to get their black whole bedrooms cleaned! I knew behind those rolling eyes was some goodness! LOL!
So, this week I have called and emailed several schools that were affected by the recent tornadoes. I wasn’t able to get ahold of all schools so I had to do more research to get all of their information. Can I just say, Praise God for google!! I know we have all read about Henryville in the news but did you know that there were three more schools that were completely destroyed too? I am not sure why those didn't make national news but they are in just as much need. Again, I couldn’t imagine…
So, six days later, I am ready to unveil my master plan…bwha ha haaa (ok, normally that would be an evil laugh but I guess not so appropriate huh. Scratch that!) I have compiled a spreadsheet with all four schools and all 121 teachers on it. My hope is that each of you will take a teacher or two and donate something. There are several categories to choose from: digital items (units you create), tangible items (Spring cleaning your classroom?), financial donations and gift cards, or just letters of encouragement (this is just as much for the students of that teacher as the teacher). Sign yourself up for one and your class for another! 🙂 Make sure you write in your name and email address OR blog NAME. J If you are donating digital items, it would be best of you would put them on a disc and mail them to the address on that page. Remember, these teachers have lost their computers and printers so it may be a while before they can actually use your great units but they will definitely help them out. J
I hope everyone will get their schools and students involved. This is an opportunity for us to share our love for what we do with the world. I feel like we are continuously having to prove to society our worth…but we don't have to prove that to one another!
Tonight on my way home I heard this song and it really made me think of this project. Only God can turn dust into something beautiful! That’s good news because people I don’t have those kind of skills! If I was some sort of superhero or had a super power, I would want it to include something with glitter because I love all things sparkly. J
Together we can teach the greatest lesson of LOVE to our fellow educators and get them back on their feet. Please feel free to share on your blog. We have 726 slots to fill and I need your help to make it happen!
Make sure you click the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet. Each tab is for a different school. Some have email addresses if you want to contact the teacher but you don't have to. I am not sure they will email you back, as some no longer have computers. Just make sure you are signing up for a person in the grade level you are able to help and if you sign up be faithful to donate.
I am also including principals because maybe you have office supplies or framed scripture that you can give them. They are dealing with a lot trying to get their schools back on their feet.
THANKS for all of your help and support. This became way bigger than I expected but I am SO EXCITED for the out pour of love we are able to offer our fellow educators!
And, if you are a new visitor to my blog, I hope you will be a new follower. We can be friends, right? Check out my facebook for news, sales, and fun too!
Natalie says
Thank you so much for taking on this task! I can't wait to get started raising donations for the class I signed up to sponsor!
Natalie
TeacheryTidbits
Miss T says
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for doing this Crystal. It's amazing and I can't wait to send stuff to my teacher 🙂
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Joell W. says
Crystal,
I love this idea and opportunity to help. You're an angel.
Joell (retailjw@q.com)
Annie Moffatt says
I LOVE that you did this Crystal! This is exactly what it is all about:) AWESOME post!
Ms. Patterson says
I just added my name to the henryville list
Thank you so much for organizing this
Ms. Patterson
Pocket Full of Kinders
Danielle says
You are an angel! Thank you for undertaking this task <3
Danielle
http://www.twirlybirdteaching.blogspot.com
annspencer says
Obviously your children got their heart for service from their mom — a priceless gift. Hope you get to see The Lorax — since you have spent your break speaking for the children who will benefit from this project.
About Me says
THIS is going to be such a wonderful blessing to those teachers and to those children most importantly!
Deb at Fabulously First
LYNDSEY says
This is amazing! What an inspiring idea. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS. Wow! I'm totally IN! 🙂
Lyndsey
A Year of Many Firsts
Erica says
You did fabulous with this! (By the way, I love Gungor, too!)
Erica
Sprinkles to Kindergarten
Tanya says
Crystal, You are amazing for doing all this. What an amazing blessing to all those who have been through so much!
☺ Tanya
fantabulous1stgr@aol.com
First Grade is Fantabulous!
Kathy says
THANKS for your kind heart and organizing all of this! You are truly making a difference!
Kathy
First Grade a la Carte
Jenn Long says
Thanks for organizing this!
Jenn
A Pirates Life for Us
Rebecca and Katie says
Thank you so much for organizing this! And working so hard over your spring break – you are amaze! We are totally excited to help out our teacher. Thank you!
~ Katie and Rebecca
First Grade ABCs
Brenda says
Crystal– Thank you SO much for taking this on & doing all the "leg work"! You are amazing!
Looking forward to helping out my adopted teacher!
Brenda
Primary Inspired
Doodle Bugs Paper says
bless you! I signed up for 2 teachers. .. and will be filling their mailbox with some love! Thank you!!
Kacey
Doodle Bugs Teaching
Doodle Bugs Paper
janet says
I signed up for a teacher and I am heading out to Target and dollar tree to pick up a few new goodies, I will pass this on to the other teachers at school.
My e-mail is janeybeans@msn.com or jpereira @stmarystaunton.com
Kirsten says
Wow! You are truly an inspiration! Just signed up and copied all my monthly files on to a disc. Hope it helps. Blessings to all!
Mel D says
You are an angel! I signed up on 5 different spots. I will share this with my district this week! What a blessing you are to these teachers!
Mel D
Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations
Ashley says
Wow! You have been busy! Thanks so much for organizing this. Isn't the blogging community amazing?!?
Joell W. says
I got my packet together and will be mailing it out over the weekend. I'm starting my own baby blog and if I can figure it out, I'll post some pictures of some of the cute cards and letters my kids did. Thanks again for all the organization.
Joell
http://totally-terrific-teaching.blogspot.com/
Caught in the Middle says
What an amazing project to undertake. I'm putting my items together now and will share with my staff as well.
Courtney Bartlett says
Thanks for letting us help! I love that Gungor song. I listen to it almost every morning on my way to school…puts me in a thankful mood for sure. I just signed up for your project.
Swimming into Second
Coconut Cutie says
Krystal,
Thanks so much for getting this all together. I just signed up for two classrooms. I can't wait to get started on my gathering!
If you get a chance, check out my blog and pick up a few freebies while you are there.
coconutcutiesclassroom.blogspot.com