Donors Choose is a non-profit that connects public school teachers with people who want to support classroom learning. It is a place where people can donate to classrooms and students in need.
Last month I went out on a limb to write a proposal on DonorsChoose for an arts supplies project for my little first grader turkeyheads. We have crayons, glue sticks (about 3 left), and a quickly shrinking pile of construction paper. That’s it… not nearly enough art supplies to ever do anything really fun and creative. I went to the Dollar Tree to buy some glitter glue and googly eyes to use to decorate our door for the contest at school, but it was all used up in 2 days!
I never thought I would get any donations – because I had already failed once at writing a proposal – so after it was written, I promptly forgot about it.
I remembered about my project when my mom made a donation! I was so excited and thrilled that she acted so generously and thoughtfully so close to the holidays…especially after she and my father had already sent the turkeyheads Christmas presents. It was a glorious feeling, knowing I was closer to reaching my goal – but a not so glorious feeling thinking she might be the only donor.
Then one of my coworkers’ wives from when I lived in Atlanta donated to my project. She saw a blurb about it on facebook and said she couldn’t resist. I danced all over my classroom that day, thinking maybe it was a reality that my students would have the art supplies they needed to free their creative spirits and minds.
One week later… my project was fully funded!!!! Five people, five complete strangers, donated the rest of the money needed to buy all of the art supplies I requested!!!! I am in total shock and awe right now – so happy and so surprised and so grateful for the generous people out there in this world! I just can’t stop smiling!
This is a post filled to the brim with extraordinary ordinary joys. so glad you took the time to share.
Wow, that is amazing! I love hearing about people helping for a good cause, because it’s basically unheard of anymore. I will always donate my change to Salvation Army, buy candy/whatever else for sports/extracurricular groups, and I always always always donate to education & music programs in school. It is SO important that kids get the same chance at an education that I had when I was younger. 🙂
That is so awesome!! What a great present for you and your students.
What an amazing gift! It is so nice to hear that people were so generous and put money into a great cause!