Last month, a group of 9th graders from Highland Park High School held a drive to collect items for the Carver Elementary "Carver Store". Below is an email the organizer of the event sent out to the parents and students who participated.
GW Carver has an incentive store for the students in PreK to 5th grade. When a student is "caught being good" and exemplifying leadership, they receive a Carver Buck. These bucks add up, and at the end of the week, those with bucks in hand can go and purchase items from the store. Many times, there are never enough items for all the students to participate. The principle has asked for donations for the store and [Mercy Street] feel that the 9th graders are a perfect fit!
Mercy Me, Mercy Me, Mercy Me!!!
1st Annual Mercy Street Drive mission accomplished!
Sweetest parents! (Please share this email with your 9th
grader.) I sit here teary eyed because of the results of yesterday. Blessing
upon blessing upon blessing. The first sentence that comes to mind...
Witnessing yesterday was a very humbling experience.
What started in 2011 with Charlie Doherty and Michael Mills
gathering a group of boys collecting bikes for Mercy Street's Bike Shop turned
into adding the girls, an elementary school, and many more surprises in
2014!
This year, the boys partnered with Mercy Street to provide items
for the Carver Elementary Store in West Dallas. Children will earn "Carver
Bucks" when they are caught doing something good. They can then use these
bucks to purchase the items YOU GUYS DONATED!
First of all, on behalf of everyone- THANK YOU!!!
We were SPEECHLESS and "giddy" with the staff at Mercy
Street as we witnessed the items being brought through the front door. These
items were well thought out and it was obvious that you all had taken time and
made an effort to collect and gather them.
Some of you used your business contacts to get AMAZING products
in bulk, others went to their dentist for multiple tooth paste tubes, and then
some of you grabbed your kids and hit the stores! You stocked up on meeting
their daily needs for kleenex, socks, and shampoo, while others bought
footballs, barbies, puzzles, paints, books, toys, and trinkets! There were even
beautiful fragile crosses that were handpicked to donate.
I know a hardworking mom will be blessed beyond words when she
unwraps the beautiful cross on Christmas morning. A young girl will wash her
new Barbie's hair with her new strawberry scented shampoo. A young son will
throw the football with his younger brother in the front yard after school. A
young artist will take up a love for painting as she uses her new paint set. A
sweet boy will start to read with great interest because he earned the book
himself. An inquisitive girl will write her first book in the journal (and
purple gel pen) set she couldn't wait to buy. A family will come together to
play the fun game that their child excitedly brought home from school. And last
but not least, a parent will ask her child where her new backpack came from and
she will see explain that it was a reward for her exhibiting strong character
and making wise choices.
And it gets even better- a woman that arranges the shelves for
large corporations like Target is volunteering her time to come in next week to
itemize, arrange, and place in the Carver supply store! (I will send
pics.)
It is truly moving to witness first hand your very own community
showing up in ways that you would never have imagined! We are not a perfect
community and we have many flaws, but there is one thing that we consistently
do and that is.... we show up! We think about those that are in need. We do
what it takes to press through. We follow through when called upon. It is an
honor to be part of this community with you all.
It truly is a humbling experience to witness many children that
you have known since they were born step into becoming young adults, assuming
responsibility, and giving their time to bless those that deserve blessing. I
can only imagine what your children will accomplish and impact as our future
leaders of the next generation.
What a great opportunity this is to reflect with your kiddos on
what this experience has meant to them. While some might respond in typical
"few-word" teen fashion, others might share more than you expected.
(We would love any and all feedback.)
Thank you ALL so very much for sharing your precious precious
pumpkins with us and taking the time to make a difference!
On behalf of the Doherty's and the Mills... May you be blessed
because YOU have blessed so many children. Many blessings you might not hear or
know about, but be reminded that they are still there, alive and multiplying.
It is an honor to serve along side all of you guys!
Have a great day!
Melanie Ross Mills, M.A,
