Annual Christmas Drive Letter

Hello all my friends and family,

 It's that time of year again, Christmas time! Please take a moment to read the following letter and possibly even forward it along if you see fit:

 I work in a very impoverished school district. At last count, my school is over 95% free and reduced lunch, and our annual residential turnover (how quickly kids come and go) is 36%. (which means kids are constantly moving, staying with relatives, switching schools, etc…)

 To put it bluntly: I have 21 8-year-old kids. 3 of them are homeless: they either live in shelters or with other family members. Most of them don't have their own coats, boots or enough food to eat at night. They are constantly asking for “more breakfast please” and they tend to save some of the snacks we get to take home to their siblings. The school provides free breakfast and lunch that we serve every day and for some of my students this is the only time they even get to eat. One of my kids have family members (a mom or dad or brother) in jail, and the vast majority of my kids don't have enough books, pencils, paper or even crayons at home to do their homework. It's not that all of the parents are deadbeats or don't care: I've met all my parents and most of them are devoted to their kids and passionate that their kids MAKE IT: they want their kids to rise above their situation and become better than they themselves have it.

 I'm making a passionate plea to all of you: I know we are all tightening our belts this holiday season, just like the last few years, but if you could find it in your hearts to sponsor a child, so this Christmas every child in my class gets at least one present this holiday, I would be eternally grateful. There is nothing more heartwarming than the smile on a child's face when they are used to getting nothing (which reinforces to them that they don't matter and they don't deserve anything) and someone, somewhere, shows that they care about that child and that they MATTER to someone.

 I hope the pictures, cards, and notes that you’ve read over the last few years lets you know how much YOU and YOUR HELP has made a difference to these kids. I still have kiddos from the upper grades come back and tell me that “2nd grade was the best Christmas ever! Remember we got all the books and toys?” Comments like that show that we ARE making a difference to these kids...and I’m so excited to do it again.

 I've included some sayings from my kids' writings when I asked them to write about what they wanted/needed this holiday season: (I didn't edit their responses) 

 "I need a pare of boots because my pare of boot are to small for me and my tows are very cold.” 
“I need two more blankets because my two are not thik to ceep me warm.” 
“I would like some of the converse shoes because they look cool and neat and I would like them.” 
“Dear Santa, Please bring me the paint and paper because I never paint at home and I would like to be a artist who paints pretty pictures.”
 “Warm pj’s would keepe me warm at nite.”
 "Another thing I need is globes because it is freeze outside and my fingers freeze like the snow." 
"Dear Santa, please bring my mom a coat and some mittins because she does not have the money left to buy them for her just us." 
"I need a pencil to do my homework."
 "My house needs clen towels for the bath becasue they are ripped and yucky."

  I wanted to scan in all of the cute pictures but for time sake, I think you get the picture. Very few of them asked for things that most kids would ask for… 

Here's the deal: My principal and I thought if I sent this email to everyone on my address list and you forwarded it on to your friends, we just might be able to get every child one thing that they want. Gift cards to TARGET would be the most helpful because we could trade them in for gifts. If you'd really like to donate books and be sure that's where your gift was going, you can make your check out to SCHOLASTIC BOOKS and I will be sure to use it for that. We'd also love any books, school supplies, etc. I will make sure every child in my class will get something new this Christmas and hopefully, fill up their little hearts with a small amount of joy in the process.

  Please send what you can to:
 Alsup Elementary School
 c/o Mara Kimling 
7101 Birch Street 
Commerce City, CO 80022 

 I'm here to tell you that all of us together can make a difference for these kids. They make me smile and laugh everyday with their unbreakable spirit, kind hearts and laughter. I assure you that even a pair of gloves and a book from a stranger matters to an 8 year old. They get a sparkle in their eyes. I need to get any donations by Friday December 14th to ensure I can go shopping and get things ready before the kids leave for break on the 20th!

 I thank you in advance for your action and your caring. I wish all of you an amazing holiday season with your families and friends. Warmest thanks for your time and thoughtfulness….

 Mara

 p.s. Some of you have been asking for class stats, so here they are: 14 boys, 7 girls. I have boot, coat, and clothes sizes so email/message me if you’d like that information. Thank you!!

p.p.s  Here's a link to the amazing gift drive from our friends at the Air Force last year.  This is just a sample of what your gift will do!  

A Fall Day at the Park

Just playing at the park with my little one. Thanks to Jon T Photography for catching it for us on the sly. We didn't even realize he was there. :-)