Today Sky received a Valentines card in the mail from her great grandma and grandpa with $2 in it. She was so excited! She said, "I needed some money to bring to school for a special project to help people!" I was truly touched that she would take her cash, and rather than buy candy or toys, give it to this project to help others. She is becoming a sweet, compassionate young lady and we are so proud of her. She took it a bit too far when she tried to confiscate Brad's Valentine money for the project too. Brad, being two years old, was not about to share his money. Below is an email that we received from her teacher and it tells more about the project and it also shows how Gardenhill (Sky's school) is actually concerned about missions and is teaching the students to care for others. I would love for Sky to be involved in this SOS organization someday! Here's what her teacher wrote:
The kids got a note today explaining a giving project initiated by a group of upper grade students at Gardenhill. The group is the S.O.S. Club (Smiles Over Seas) and they are working to help support the ByGrace Orphanage in Kenya. By Grace was started and is supported/run by one of our very own newer Gardenhill families that are here from Kenya and going to school at Biola. Miss Clock, one of our 5th grade teachers went on a work/mission trip to build a part of their school and some housing for the 30+ orphans last summer. She is going again this year, and this group of students has a passion to do what they can to help these kids in Kenya.
For one week, we have been challenged to bring in our "change" to help raise money for a borehole well so that the orphans can have clean water at the orphanage. (I think right now they have to purchase water and have it brought in.) The S.O.S. Club has named their drive "Your change can make a change". I think this is a great project for kids as this is something that they can easily do. Would you help support our class in filling our gallon jug. Maybe help your child to to odd jobs this weekend to raise money. We will gladly take any coins and/or bills. We have talked a bit about the orphans and what they have/don't have compared to us. This would be a good time to talk to your kids about all that we have, even in hard times.
Remember, this is only for one week - Feb. 1-5. There may be one other collection week later in the year also, as they are looking for an organization/corporation to match the funds. But for now... make sure the kids bring their change by Friday so we can fill our jug and "make a change" in some lives. (I have told the kids they can't put in their lunch money - it needs to be money that their parents say is OK :)
We have also been collecting pop tabs from cans to recycle - don't forget to send yours in. The kids love getting to put them in our jug and showing the class how full it's getting.One other way you can support this group is by bringing in used ink cartridges. They can recycle them and get money to put towards school supplies to take to the Kenyan students.
Lastly, our class will be sponsoring a boy and girl orphan. Later this month we will get their names, pictures and a list of the specific needs of our "friends" over seas. Please consider how you might use this as an opportunity to teach your child about reaching out to help others and the impact that we can all have on our world. I think the kids will be excited to help out others in need!
Thank you ahead of time for your support of our S.O.S. Club - it is exciting to see young kids meeting, gathering ideas and working to implement them to raise money to benefit others. I have been to several of their after school meetings and seen their passion first-hand. They are really a tribute to our great families, community and school. We are raising great kids at Gardenhill!
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