I hardly
know where to begin this. I’ll start by
posting the link to the pictures that were taken during Dec 12-20, 2012. These have been approved by my school district,
so feel free to share:
Alsup 2012 Christmas Drive Pictures Link
Alsup 2012 Christmas Drive Pictures Link
I’ll
explain now what you were able to do when you reposted my original plea for
help to your Facebook wall, sending my email to your friends and family and
asking them to forward it as well, and by taking action. You all took action for a group of children
that you’ve only heard of from me. I
know I’ve said this before, but I’m saying it again: YOU are the angels for
these kids. I looked around the
playground today and saw kids running around in the coats you bought. I saw children in jeans that fit them and
they were playing basketball without tripping over old shoes, or having to hold
up their older brother’s pants. I saw
kids in hats and gloves and throwing footballs that you sent to the
school. Every single child in my
classroom returned their homework I assigned over break. They finished it with the pencils and crayons
you provided, cuddled under the blankets you sent. As they were talking to each other about what
Santa brought, I heard two kids saying things like, “Santa didn’t come to my
house because my parents didn’t have any money, but he came here so that was
okay.” I overheard one child say to
another teacher, “My Christmas was here at school. We didn’t have one at home.” I tried to
imagine what it would have been like for these kids if you HADN’T taken the
action you did, and it hurts my heart to even think about it, so I haven’t.
I just
want to thank you. For all the smiles,
for the love, for the generosity, for the amazing spirit and soul that you gave
to not only my class, not only the entire second grade, but to my entire
school. I saw 5th grade girls
proudly walking into school today in the “new” clothes that you provided for
them, I saw little kindergarten boys zipping up their new coats, and I saw
smiles. I got more hugs from parents
today, more “thank you” letters, and more contented faces than I’ve ever seen
on the first day back from winter break.
I don’t know how to convey my gratitude any more than to just tell you
that the action of you, your family, and your friends has created joy beyond
belief here in Commerce City that will last long after Christmas has past. I offer my heart-felt “thank you” to you
all. You have done more good than you
can possibly know. These kiddos will be
forever changed…as will I.
Please
forward this to anyone and everyone who you think may have helped. They need to see what they have done. Thank you.
