My Charity Drive Fell Through...

[*NikkiBell*]

Each year, my students and I read The Pinballs by Betsy Byars. It's an amazing tale about three children living in foster care and how they overcome struggles ranging from abandonment to physical and mental abuse. It's an excellent "growing up book" and my students and their families find it very rewarding.

I've been working with a local foster care agency for the past five years to hold a special assembly for my kids. In turn, I run a charity drive that has become quite successful. Last year alone, we collected well over $1,200 in diapers, baby bottles, clothing, and toys for foster children living in the state. We then had someone from the agency visit us along with a foster mother and her two foster babies. It was a great experience to talk with them and then help them load up the van with all of our collected supplies.

Unfortunately when I contacted the agency to set things up again for this year I was told that they have had cut backs and will not be able to participate this year. It seems as if a lot of positions were cut due to lack of funding. They will not be able to come and take the donations back nor send someone for the assembly program. They even recommended looking for another foster care organization.

I'm really bummed by this and while we could collect spare change and mail a check, I feel like we need to do something more. Due to the time issue, we won't be able to research and work with another agency this year. I'm trying to see if there's any connections I could make between the book and GKTW. I already told my superintendent about my volunteering there and he wants me to spread the word.

Anyone have ideas?

 

[dgthree]

Can't help you with GKTW, but I hear you on the cutbacks for local agencies. My office has participated in an "Adopt a Family" drive with the Morris County social services department forever, and this year, there was no program due to their cutbacks. The co. made arrangements to have a Toys for Tots drive in its place.

What about donating to a women's shelter, or even a community food & resource bank?

 

[parrotheadlois]

We collected toys and donated them to the Warren County Department of Children and Families (DYFS). They were happy to get them.

Your county or one nearby must have an office, it would be nice to keep the donations near to where they came from (imho).

I think the diapers and baby items are great ideas.
Good luck Nikki.

http://www.mychalsmessage.org/projects/projects.htm

 

[wildfan1473]

You might also want to see if you have a local women's shelter. Our county has one that takes in women and their children from abusive homes, and they are always in need not only of baby care items and basic necessities for women, but also professional clothing for the women to wear for interviews, computers and equipment for job searches and that type of thing.

Good luck!

 

[Madi100]

We have decided that in our home that our local women's abuse shelter and Give Kids The World are our charities of choice. I have volunteered at the abuse shelter, and it is humbling to say the least. I can't believe that the foster care agency would not be excited to receive your donations.

 

[spokanemom]

We have a crisis nursery (although not just for infants) in our area. It has a sad story behind it, but our area is lucky to have this available for kids now. You might look to see if your area has one. Ours is ALWAYS in need of supplies, clothes (the kids always get a new-to-them outfit to return home in), art supplies/toys, etc. I really hope you are able to find a group to come help with your drive. It seems such a shame that you are more than willing to give and your group backed out.

Good luck to you.

 

[mommyceratops]

I did a drive at school one year for our local woman's shelter. It was powerful.

 

[Tink rules]

I'd go with a local shelter... even a soup kitchen or such in the area. Maybe you can have someone who is a volunteer there come to talk to your kids... that way it wouldn't affect the day to day runnings of the agency...

Good luck!!!

 

[racingwench]

Is there a Ronald McDonald House in your area? I do volunteer work there and they could use all of the items.

In case you are not aware of them. They are located usually near large hospitals. Parents and families stay there while their children undergo treatments at the local hospital. These families must live over 25 miles away from the hospital. My area has one with 16 bedrooms and we are constantly full. There is no cost to the families to stay at the house. Some of the stories of these families could break your heart, but there are some amazing stories as well.

Hope this helps and whatever you do with this money you should take pride in what you are teaching your students. Great Job!!

Cathy