Help With Ideas

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I could use some advice on a gift, of sorts. I am a para with a special ed dept for ED students. Working with so few kiddos for years you get quite attached to these guys. Well I just found out that one of my 3rd graders (one that has a special place in my heart anyway) has to have open heart surgery in the next couple of weeks. He has a little 5 year old sister and, although she is not in my dept., loves to see me and give me hugs and drawings daily. Their mom is a single mom and struggles to survive. She is a good mom, she works all the time but can't get ahead. I know her somewhat because she comes in to our school food bank, that happens to be in our classroom, on a regular basis. This mom is beside herself with worry and grief over her son. Here is where I need you. I would like to do something for them, him and/or the little sister. I am not sure if I should make food (there are no rules and the mom would appreciate anything) or a special toy for the kids for comfort. I just don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated. BTW anything that I would do would have the 100% approval of the teacher. If any suggestion are too costly there are about 4 of us that would be willing to chip in.

 

[AnninIowa]

If you are up to the task, you could organize a fund raiser for them - sounds like they will need it with medical bills. I know that would be a lot of work, though.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

If you are up to the task, you could organize a fund raiser for them - sounds like they will need it with medical bills. I know that would be a lot of work, though.

I would def be up to the task. The only thing is this family is WELL below the poverty level and Medicad is picking this up for them.

 

[hereyago]

Ok you mentioned making food, I think that would help alot. Not sure if you could do this or if it would be going against rules, but sometimes the best things don't cost anything at all:

Helping the mom with laundry, or help run errands for her, but you probably can't. or food gift cards like grocery food cards. I am sure whatever you do with the others she will appreciate.

Do ya'll plan on making a card for the student? you probably are, with his fellow students sign it.

Hope your student recovers quickly from surgery.

You rock by the way for caring so much and wanting to help!

 

[teacherlisa1978]

I would do grocery gift cards. Anyone could use those and the money she has set aside for groceries could be used for other things. Maybe also a board game or something for the kids. Or one of the Twilight Turtles nightlights or a sleep sheep sound machine as they are very comforting.

 

[Neesy228]

I would suggest stocking her freezer with some ready-to-heat family friendly meals. Then I would do comfort gifts for all of them...things like a heated blanket for the mom, a pillow pet or stuffed animal for the kids. If they're below the poverty line, any small comfort that would ease money stress or be a special treat for the kids would probably be very welcome.

Hope all goes well for the child. And how kind of you to want to help. :

 

[leebee]

One of the teachers at our school, who already had two kids, had twins and one was very sickly. We organized a dinner tree, I guess you'd call it. Several nights a week, someone would bring a fully-prepared meal to the house for them. I thought it'd be awkward or difficult, but it actually worked out pretty well. The teacher-mom had no specific requests, except that her kids don't eat liver (duh) or a couple of other things. Those of us doing the dinners decided that we'd talk a little about what we were bringing to them so it wasn't always baked ziti night... in fact, we tried to make "real" meals and stay away from the pasta if possible (so that there'd only be one night of pasta/hamburg casserole, one night of lasagne, one night of spaghetti, etc.). It worked out well, and the teacher-mom said it was really, really stress relieving not to have to worry about what to make, what was in the house, did she need to go to the store, etc. You could try doing something like this.

 

[MarthaJr.]

I am also a sp. ed. para and can totally relate to what you said about this child holding a special place in your heart. I agree with a previous poster about the meals for the freezer. Having spent many days this past year at the hospital with my mother, I know I would have appreciated it. I've done this for others in the past and included the recipe so they are aware of all of the ingredients. I did a spaghetti dinner with bread, salad and dessert for a family once. Who doesn't like spaghetti?

The one thing I would add is that you probably know this child very well and know what kind of things/movies he likes. Perhaps put together a little gift bag of a few things and a dvd (if you know they have a dvd player) or perhaps a dry erase board with markers (my student's just love it for some reason) and one for sister too!

Hope all goes well for your student.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I would def be up to the task. The only thing is this family is WELL below the poverty level and Medicad is picking this up for them.

I need to take back this reply. I found out today that he is having the surgery in Salt Lake City (12 hours away) and they have to drive (medically necessary). There is no way they will be able to afford the trip, motel stay, plus mom being off work for 2+ weeks (plus I think no matter your circumstances you shoud not have to be at work when your child is recovering from open heart surgery). I think a fundraiser would be a great idea.

 

[CowboyCO]

I need to take back this reply. I found out today that he is having the surgery in Salt Lake City (12 hours away) and they have to drive (medically necessary). There is no way they will be able to afford the trip, motel stay, plus mom being off work for 2+ weeks (plus I think no matter your circumstances you shoud not have to be at work when your child is recovering from open heart surgery). I think a fundraiser would be a great idea.

 

[disynut]

What about gift cards to food places that deliver? Maybe a gift basket with a few movies?