2012 Christmas Drive Thoughts

I'll be posting an update to the Christmas Drive soon (with pictures and videos) but before I do that, I wanted to give you a small glimpse into what it has been like here the last few weeks...

This year's drive has been unprecedented.  You all responded in force for my little school: that's right, I said not my class, but my school.  Your donations covered so many needs that for the first year (this is my 6th year), I was able to help not only my class, not only the entire 2nd grade, but 54 other families and kids.  I asked for help for my little kiddos and not only did you send that, you sent clothes for their families.  You brought their first Christmas stocking chock full of gifts.  You sent emails, you forwarded my posts, you sent texts, you filled your car trunks of supplies that only the truest hearts could know that my kiddos would need, you sent messages, made phone calls, stopped by with gifts, and most of all...you acted.  On behalf of me and a school full of kids you've never laid eyes on before.  On just faith and my word.  If there was ever a week that we have needed this amount of goodwill, I believe this is the week.

I received responses and donations from CO, IL, TX, VA, NC, NY, CA, MN, FL, WA, NE, OK, IA, NJ, DL, and as far away as Holland and Bali.  Donations poured in every single day from amounts small as a $5 gift from a little boy in CA, to hundreds worth of brand-new coats sent straight to the school.  Here is just the short list of items that you sent to my little community here in Commerce City:

54 brand new pairs of jeans
89 brand new long sleeved shirts, hoodies, and sweaters
125 hats
125 gloves
35 packs of socks
Shoes and boots
Brand new books for the kindergarten classes: over $300 worth
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets, backpacks, and pillows for 12 families that desperately needed them
Legos, DVD's, toys, and books for the 2nd graders
29 brand-new pairs of pajamas: for some of the kiddos, this will be their only pair
Over 70 new chapter books for my class and the library for all the kids to use
Over 81...that's right, EIGHTY-ONE new/gently used coats in all shapes and sizes.  The stack of coats in my classroom literally reached the ceiling
The Air Force is coming on Thursday to deliver clothes, toys, food, and Officer's Smiles to the entire 2nd grade: all 85 kids
I sent 13 Christmas packages home with families that had stopped by to tell us that they didn't have anything extra this year for their kids and was there anything we could do to help?  Those kids have at least one present going home with them on Friday

Words can't express the joy and the overwhelming gratitude I feel for each and every one of you.  You proved at one of our country's darkest times that WE come together and WE all are in this together.  You took my kids and my school in your arms and responded as if we were yours.  Not only have you provided toys, clothes, coats, socks, blankets, and a smile to half of the entire student body here at Alsup, you reminded me of the reasons I have to smile and to heal and move on.  I hope beyond words that just a few of the pictures I post will do the same for you.

A heart-felt thank you and happy holidays.

--Mara