Christmas Drive Update

This is an incredibly humbling post to write and I've been putting it off for a few days as I was waiting till I felt I had the "right" words of appreciation, or the phrase that would express "enough" how amazing all of you are. I just don't think there are any words that can tell you how generous and full of love you all have proved to me that you are. Even those of you who I've never met.

Please click here for the previous post I sent out to everyone in the beginning of November. I had asked for help from all of you to provide a "gift or two" for my class of 24 2nd graders. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what has been pouring, (yes, in waves) into the office and my inbox for the last few weeks. Countless people from all over the world have stepped up and donated their time, their resources, their money, their own kids' clothes, books, services for families in need, gift wrapping and distribution help, and much, much more. Below is a quick list of all the wonderful, generous, and amazing help I've received since November...I hope it astounds and touches you as much as it has me. It has, and continues to bring me to tears.

*Gift cards to Target in amounts from $5 up to $100 from people all over the world. One little boy sent me his birthday card he had saved from Target because he told his mom, "Those kids need it more than I do." I've also received checks, money orders, and cash from everyone to my close friends and family, to strangers from as far away as Rome and Amsterdam.

*The University of Colorado Health Center gathered boots, coats, books, and random toys for all the kids.

*An office here in Commerce City gathered their workers together to donate flash cards for all the kids.

*Leah Rimini (star of King of Queens) was informed of this over Twitter and immediately asked all her fans to help my class. Within 3 days, she and her friend Sonya had created a gift list with pajamas, toys, crayons, and flash cards for every single child and it was fullfilled by all of Leah's fans from all over the world. Click here to see the link...

*I've received gift cards to have a pizza party for the kiddos in the future.

*So many of you have contacted me personally and have arranged specific donations based on the kids' needs. There are boxes and boxes and boxes in the office filled with boots, coats, books, school supplies, blankets for every kid, socks, underwear, backpacks, and so much more. The stack of boxes is incredible!

*A book party was held in UT for my kiddos and every single child will be receiving their very own hardcover book based on their reading level. They raised enough funds for that AND books to be donated to our school library so the whole school can enjoy them.

*A church in VA was able to collect over $1,000 for Bryan, my child who is very ill with brain cancer. This will go towards food, transportation, clothes, and gifts for him and his three brothers for the next several months. The Boulder Running Company is also dontaing custom shoes for him and his family.

*The USAF here at Buckley Air Force Base adopted the entire 2nd grade (all 92 kids) and have written individual letters to each child, have gotten gifts like hoodies, toys, socks, playground equipment, etc. for the ENTIRE 2nd grade. Not just my class. Not only that, but they are coming in uniform next week with Santa himself to give the kids their gifts and to spread some holiday joy before the kiddos leave for the break.

*A 8th grader in Boulder raised money by selling ornaments she made herself to buy each child a gift bag with oranges, toothbrushes, mittens, books, etc. She didn't have enough to fill each bag with what she wanted, so she went to her school's PTA and asked them to make up the difference. They happily did so.

*A junior women's league is coming next week to help me start wrapping all the gifts. They are staying late after school every day to be sure it gets done in time and I wasn't doing it all by myself.

*I still get to go shopping this weekend with all the gift cards you have sent. I plan to "fill in the gaps" and be sure every child has shoes that fit, jeans that aren't too short, a warm coat, and possibly a toy or two. This shopping trip is always the highlight of my entire year!

...and there are so many more stories still to come.

Seeing all of this written down has again brought me to tears. There just aren't enough words to describe how amazing the kindness and generosity of complete strangers are to a school of kiddos whom you've never met. I will be posting pictures all next week as we give the kids their gifts, so be sure to be checking back often.

I wonder if all of you who sent even $5 have any idea of what the power of your gift is going to do. As I sit here writing this in my heated classroom (after having to hug a little boy this morning for 10 minutes to warm him up because he had to walk to school in the 8 degree weather with no coat), I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. You have made an extreme difference in the lives of these kids. It's something they will NEVER forget.

And neither will I. Happy Holidays to all of you.

Mara