Board Adopt a Family, etc. Discussion Thread

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

Dry erase boards so they don't have to use paper. 
50 students in a classroom with two teachers because they don't have space.
50 packs of paper for ESL students because the school district does not supply paper (for a school that is 93% free or reduced lunches.)
ONE iPad for a classroom of challenged students...

I'm going down the list of wants and needs. It's heartbreaking and infuriating. I just want to vent so much anger at reps who spend time and money trying to crash the opposing party, spending money unnecessarily, slashing budgets in all the wrong places and affecting our country's future by providing NOTHING to educate the children so they will remain uneducated and uninformed "electorate" for the next generations.

[pixy0stix]

Maybe we can keep the classrooms in mind for next fall?

While there is so much need everywhere, I personally feel like Christmas is a good time to focus on individuals rather than groups.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

Ohmigoodness pixy0stix - that yawning kitten is too precious.

[pixy0stix]

Nov 1, 2013 13:36:24 GMT -5 Beeps (WOT?*) said:

Ohmigoodness pixy0stix - that yawning kitten is too precious.

I had to make up to everyone for having Pennywise as my siggy for the last couple of weeks.

[secretlyevil]

Nov 1, 2013 13:42:56 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Nov 1, 2013 13:36:24 GMT -5 Beeps (WOT?*) said:

Ohmigoodness pixy0stix - that yawning kitten is too precious.

I had to make up to everyone for having Pennywise as my siggy for the last couple of weeks.

yes, she does.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 30, 2013 12:54:07 GMT -5 sushi said:

Can I plug the org where I volunteer? It's got kids who have lost a parent, either through death, divorce, incarceration, foster, etc. I don't know if they do a Christmas drive or anything, but I do know they have centers all around the country so it could be a board effort with local contribution.

sushi - any update from your org?

[secretlyevil]

crazytalk - any update from the org you mentioned?

[secretlyevil]

poll thread here: pandce.proboards.com/thread/248022/draft-poll-charity-activity-holidays

It's in draft form until Monday, so don't vote yet.

[secretlyevil]

I like the idea of doing something for the classroom over the summer too. I did add it to the poll. I dunno, I just want some family or kids to have a nice holiday but that is JMO. We're a democratic society on CEP.

[msmerymac]

asdfjkl, I am crying over that website. I live less than 15 miles from 19111. I've driven through the area and I know how bad it is. I know how bad the Philly public schools are, but this really hits below the belt.

[redheadbaker]

Interesting about the 19111 zip code. From the parts I'm familiar with, it's one of the nicer neighborhoods in Philly.

[sushi]

Nov 1, 2013 17:23:23 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Oct 30, 2013 12:54:07 GMT -5 sushi said:

Can I plug the org where I volunteer? It's got kids who have lost a parent, either through death, divorce, incarceration, foster, etc. I don't know if they do a Christmas drive or anything, but I do know they have centers all around the country so it could be a board effort with local contribution.

sushi - any update from your org?

Yes. My contact is talking to the director and will call back. They're very excited about this.

[sushi]

OK. So I talked to the director of my org. They have a couple families in mind locally that they'll have a list for next week. Other than that they recommend contacting your local Dougy org. For instance, on our list is a family whose father died two months ago. They might have money for presents, but it's still going to be an awful holiday for those kids.

Of course give where your heart tugs. There's no right or wrong here. Personally, I'll make sure these kids have the best Xmas without a parent as I can, because I've lived through it. But I don't see it as a better cause then getting crayola to a distant classroom

[secretlyevil]

Nov 1, 2013 21:13:26 GMT -5 sushi said:

OK. So I talked to the director of my org. They have a couple families in mind locally that they'll have a list for next week. Other than that they recommend contacting your local Dougy org. For instance, on our list is a family whose father died two months ago. They might have money for presents, but it's still going to be an awful holiday for those kids.

Of course give where your heart tugs. There's no right or wrong here. Personally, I'll make sure these kids have the best Xmas without a parent as I can, because I've lived through it. But I don't see it as a better cause then getting crayola to a distant classroom

Ok, I'll add this to the real poll too.

[crazytalk]

Nov 1, 2013 17:28:31 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

crazytalk - any update from the org you mentioned?

No. Bastards. 

When are you polling? Don't wait for me. 

[secretlyevil]

vote here: pandce.proboards.com/thread/248796/vote-holiday-season-charity-activity

[secretlyevil]

Follow up from Camelot that organization I contacted located in the Appalachian area of TN.

I was forwarded an inquiry from our state office regarding an adopt a family/Angel Tree type program in our region for your organization to contribute to. Most of these types of programs in our area are religiously affiliated, so this makes it a little trickier. Ones that do come to mind however are Toys for Tots, as well as organizations that deal with youth in state custody. The Department of Children’s Services in our region would most likely accept donations, as would our foster care program at Camelot. We are not a not for profit, however we do current serve 90+ foster children in our region and we have foster families who are not always able to provide the types of gifts they would like to around the Holidays. You all are probably aware of Toys for Tots as it is a national organization, but if you would like any more info about our local DCS office or our own foster care program and any needs that may be there feel free to email me back and I will be happy to get you more information.

Thanks,

Andy Kitzmiller, LPC-MHSP
VP – Northeast TN
Camelot
[e-mail]
office: 423-392-2975 Ext. 1010
cell: 423-341-8426
fax: [phone]

[sushi]

I'm sure polling is closed, or about to, but I want to add that in addition to my kidshurttoo program, last weekend I met the organizer of a shelter for teens who've been kicked out or are homeless for other reasons. They work with my org.

So, I'm sure I can get a list from them, too. I don't know why I didn't think of adding them to my list before.