Because we care…ELEMENTALS
This is for the people who attend The River Church and for anyone else that wants to help.
There is an elementary school down the street from the church. You know the name? It’s Governor George Clinton Elementary School and about 460 students attend. According to figures from the state approximately 87% of the children who attend this school are also eligible for the free/reduced lunch program, http://www.localschooldirectory.com/public-school/60783/NY. So, do you think that the parents of these kids are able to buy them good quality school supplies?
We keep hearing and we keep talking about about how we are supposed to be good neighbors to the people who live in Poughkeepsie. How about we shut up and actually do something. How about we start with the community right next to us. You see, the kids that go to Clinton Elementary live right around the church.
I think if you were working outside of the church during the week you’d see lots of them walking by looking at our nice pile of rubble. We have raised so much money for getting ourselves back into our building. How about we raise some money so that these kids have GOOD school supplies.
What I’m asking you to do on Sunday, September 13 is to be generous to these kids. There is a big jar at the foot of the stairs with a sign that says ELEMENTALS. I’m asking you to donate money so that we can go out next week and purchase quality pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper, etc… We’re not going to buy crap. We want these kids to know that we care about them and they we want them to have the good stuff. What if having a nice pencil and paper is enough for a child to want to know more about the people, the church that gave it to them.
This is a grassroots movement. This means we are not announcing this during church on Sunday. We are only telling people about this via ‘word of mouth.’ Why? Because we are “not supposed to do things the same way that we were doing them…”
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4 Comments
Sep 12, 20093:52 PM
Prayer, we have raised a little money at our church for the same type of need in the town of Marlboro. Problem is, schools have a really hard time accepting money. One small piece of advice is to have somebody actually take the money you raise and then go purchase the supplies the kids would need. You can usually gets specific lists of needs from the school nurse (they are very in tune with the kid’s needs in their schools). It all has to be done “anonymously” and with no strings attached in order to get the schools on board.
Another way (which seems to be the route you are going) is to just collect supplies and then invite the neighborhood families to a location where you (or whoever is in charge) can give the stuff out. Its an AWESOME idea, but it can get frustrating trying to help because the public school system is just that, public. They love to help and be helped, but their hands are tied by so much bureaucracy.
God bless you, brother. I share the same burden you do for the kids in our “Jerusalem”. Be patient and understand that it can be difficult to motivate people to support something like this. It shouldn’t be, but it is. God will bless your intentions and I am sure that whatever comes of this will bring Him Glory!
Your brother,
Geoff B
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- Geoff B on Because we care...ELEMENTALS :
Prayer, we have raised a little money at our church for the ... - M Parker on Because we care...ELEMENTALS :
This is a great example of pure Inspiration. Inspiration for...
3:41 PM
This is a great example of pure Inspiration. Inspiration for a community and down to individuals. These children will learn a lesson in self worth. The simplest thing such as a pen and notebook in which to properly do their homework may mean the world to some. They take pride and ownership over something and that something may not be in their families currently. Please do all you can.