Two years running now, my school has collected canned good items to donate to the City Rescue Mission. Last year, my friend and colleague, Stephanie, was collecting canned good items through her classroom in response to the poverty read about in
Dicken's Christmas Carol. I heard about what she was doing and wanted my students to get involved. Together, our two classes collected 1,266 canned good items. We delivered the items together and got a tour of the facility. From that day, back in November of 2010, we were hooked. Helping the Mission became a regular activity. We then collected baby items and school supplies for the Pampers and Pencils drive. Then at Easter, we collected and made over 110 baskets filled with goodies - books, toys, trinkets, bubbles and candy. Sadly, Stephanie moved to New Jersey over the summer, but her impact is still strong at Moore West. It came about this year to start a Philanthropy Club which I am the teacher sponsor of. So this year Philanthropy Club organized through Language Arts classes for students to bring canned goods to benefit the Mission's Turkey Box drive. A Turkey Box contains all the fixings you need for a Thanksgiving meal.
We collected 1,669 canned goods!! We took 38 students and 6 teachers by school bus to make the delivery. We got a tour of the facility again. Much has changed in just one year. The Mission was able to purchase another building which is where we unloaded the goods. Right now, the building is being used as a warehouse to store donated items and assemble the Turkey Boxes which will be given away this coming week right before Thanksgiving. The Mission will hand out about 2,500 Turkey Boxes to lower income families for free.
The warehouse will eventually turn into the Men's housing. This will allow more housing for families and women at the original site. More people will be off the streets! There is another warehouse the Mission has owned for a while that will be turned into a free grocery store for lower income families. That is set to open January 2012. After the tour, we took the entire group to
Chelino's, a Mexican
restaurant in
Bricktown. This was quite an undertaking to plan a field trip for 45 people, but with much pray and genuine hearts, it was a rewarding experience. I'm eager to plan the next one!
In the Spirit of Giving and Thankfulness, our small group from church met this morning to put together a Turkey Basket with all the fixings for a yummy Thanksgiving meal. Together, we delivered this meal to a family in need right here in Norman. We took our children since it was such a good teaching opportunity about being cheerful givers and taking care of God's people like He has called us to do. It was a great morning to serve and also a humbling moment to reach out to another family so close to home. It was a great time to teach my son and build his character as he grows into a godly man. I am so thankful for him, for his daddy and moments that strengthens my faith in our Creator. Happy Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for.
