Last Saturday morning - the teens were coming off of a late night football win (yay), rainy and cold weather, and an early to rise volunteer day. A perfect morning to sleep in. We truly weren’t expecting many people to show up. Well, in typical Highland Park fashion … we showed up! And it wasn’t just the teens, but the parents too! There are no words to explain the experience we all had last Saturday together.
A large piece of the Youth for West Dallas Club and forming the Carver Drive Executive Committee is intended to bring people together. Whether it’s driving "across the bridge" to make new friends, building relationships with the homeless, or talking to someone in your grade at a meeting that you’ve never met before. This volunteer drive was a great example.
Last week our students partnered with some West Dallas students in organizing the deliveries. The boys from WD were the cutest high schoolers ever! They shared with our teens about their experiences having gone to Carver Elementary growing up. It was eye opening listening to the challenges and struggles going on at Carver. One mentioned that he had seen a teacher try and start the Supply Store and it never worked. It was wonderful that he could witness it taking off and thriving all because of you guys!
Ty (the Liaison between Mercy Street and Carver) shared with the students about their power to bless others. The importance of giving back and why what they’re doing matters. He painted a bigger picture for them to see. He focused on their commonalities.
FOX4 News covered the event both Saturday and Sunday! It was SO cute because Jaylen (a former Carver student) REALLY wanted to be on television. Guess what… out of all the people they interviewed- HE was the teen they chose for the news piece!
THANK YOU!! Thank you! Thank YOU!! You guys made this drive the best one yet! Please thank your children for being a part. Please thank them for having a willing heart to help. Please thank them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to solicit, collect, purchase items because without them it would not be possible. You have great teens! We know they’re not perfect and they’re trying to find their way in many ways (just like we did and still are). You’re great moms!
Merry Christmas angels on earth- you’ve made some children very happy. :)
On behalf of the children at Carver- thank you!
Video Clip:
A few quotes from the students and parents:
“It was a great experience getting to hear about students experiences in West Dallas and realizing how fortunate we are to be able to buy necessities for life and also just little things like socks and toys, so it was amazing being able to share these things with kids who can’t buy them! As much as we helped these kids, they helped us more to realize that we are all the same in the eyes of God!”
“I loved hearing the guys talk about how they really wanted more mentors in their community.”
"What an honor to be able to share in the work at Mercy Street and Carver Elementary! I wish you could all see the kids at HPHS and Heights Preparatory - Uplift Education working together to make such a difference. I feel like it was I who was the beneficiary!”
"It is truly humbling and awe inspiring watching the students from Highland Park pour into this Supply Drive. Their hearts to help, listen, and learn give me hope for the next generation. They’re experiencing first hand what it feels like to make a difference in the world around them.”
“I’ve learned that it takes effort to help people. There is bigger world out there with lots of people in need. It feels good to be able to help others.”
“Thank you for exposing our teens to a new way of life.”
“My son looks forward to doing the service activities. He never complains. It’s a good thing in his life.”
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