he didn't even have a blanket of his own

[demtenjeep]

Last edited Mon Mar 30, 2015, 12:10 AM - Edit history (1)

I teach at a school where most kids have been in trouble for some reason or another. Expelled for drugs, or battery on staff or peers, fights or threats or any other number of things. We are their "second" chance to salvage some credits towards graduation even though they have been kicked out of mainstream schools.

I run an incentive program to aid the students in good behavior. Each week the students earn tickets every hour for doing what they are supposed to be doing. The tickets are put into a container for a chance to win one of two different items every Friday. Most of the time these are small items such as home baked goods or 5 dollar gift cards for various places.

A couple weeks ago, we had a small fleece blanket donated to use in the drawing. Not a big thing to most people.

I had a student approach me in private asking about the blanket. He said he hoped he won it because his cousin stole his blanket and he had nothing to sleep on. This is a 16 year old kid. How can he not have a blanket. (I felt really horrible especially when I thought of the three blankets we put in our dog cages)

Hubby and I went that night and bought a blanket. I took it the next day and told the student I couldn't guarantee he would win the blanket and so we "just had one" and brought it to him. He was very grateful.

HOW can someone not even have a blanket to call their own.


As part of our program, all kids are required to take a "group class" it is a therapy type class taught by a social worker. We are going to get yards of that fleece material and next year, towards Thanksgiving, we are going to teach the students we have then how to make their own blankets and they can pick out the colors they want. Then they can either keep it for themselves or give it to someone they love at Christmas.

We are going to look for grants to help pay the cost of the material because the cheapest price we have fount is 3.98 a yard. Each blanket takes 4 yards. We could have anywhere from 10 to 30 students.

I just could not believe it. And then people wonder why students do horrible on tests.


http://www.gofundme.com/qdr6mw

link to the go fund page. I have never done this before so any advice is appreciated.

[elleng]

1. THANK YOU for the work you do, demtenjeep,

and please inform us when you and your students have particular needs. You know this is a big-hearted place.

[Laurian]

2. I wish

everyone would view the world through your compassionate eyes. Thank you for providing that child with a blanket.

[enlightenment]

3. Kudos.

It must be very difficult to see this sort of thing every day - I think your efforts to make things better are wonderful.

Have you considered setting up a Go-Fund Me page to raise the money for the project? http://www.gofundme.com/

[demtenjeep]

4. I have not...thanks for the info

I had not considered that.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. Please do and I will donate

Thanks.

[BlueJazz]

28. I'll donate also.

[mimi85]

60. Just donated.

Best of luck. C'mon DUers, only $325 so far?

[mainer]

34. I heartily endorse Gofundme as a great site to gather donations

I used it for my own fundraiser (for medical research) and it takes very little for the service.

I will donate if you set it up.

[emsimon33]

5. Try http://www.donorschoose.org/ to raise the necessary funds

http://www.donorschoose.org/

Then let us know that you have a donorschoose site so we can donate. please.

[demtenjeep]

6. I don't have a paypal or anything = if we do not win the grant I will bump this thread

and set up those accounts.


Thank you all for your kindness

[leftofcool]

8. Good for you!

[tblue37]

9. KnR. nt

[brer cat]

10. Good for you, demtenjeep.

In fact, great!! Let us know when we can help you. A blanket is such a simple thing to provide, but it means so much to someone who is without.

[OKNancy]

11. You are so kind... What a wonderful teacher and person you are.

Yes... bump up the thread. I'm sure DU will support your effort.

[joanbarnes]

12. I love your solutions.

[knitter4democracy]

13. The Linus Project makes blankets for teens, too.

https://www.projectlinus.org/

I have worked with a local chapter in the past. You could call them and see if they have any to donate to your group or if your group can get some of their donated fleece to have blanket making days.

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. k&r for what u do. i think you can do better on the price per yard

For that fleece material at sewing stores

[demtenjeep]

15. We have applied for a mini-grant through a local company

we will find out by Sept if we get it or not.

We are also going to explain to our local fabric store what we are planning and see if they will give us a discount on the material.

At any rate, we really don't care as we feel this is too important and we will make sure we get the supplies even if we have to fund all of it.

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. good. might be a good project for gofundme also

[jwirr]

17. My sister taught in a school like you are talking about. The kids were on their last chance. She

said that most of them had almost no family at all. So like you she made them her family. When I went out to Delaware to visit her it was not unusual for the kids to drop in to talk to her at home. She is retired now but they still come.

Thank you for what you are doing.

I like the idea of the blankets. Have you thought of going to GoFundMe to ask for donations? I suspect that there would be help coming from DU if you did.

[kwijybo]

18. Coupons, watch the sales

Since you are talking about several months away, sign up with Joann's Fabrics to get coupons. They do give pretty good coupons, 40%-50% off one item (a cut piece of fabric is an item, so buy as big of a piece as you can, all at once).

As someone else already said, you might contact Project Linus, too.

(No connection to anyone, nor do I speak for them. I just use the coupons, cheap bastard that I am.)

[cally]

20. Second that idea

Craft and fabric stores offer great coupons. You might also check some of your local churches and other faith institutions. They might be willing to help.

One more idea for the interim. I went to my local goodwill outlet (not the store!) and found a sleeping bag, several blankets, and a coat that I donated to our local homeless program. I think I paid $5 for all of it.

I will happily donate if you set up a page.

[Tess49]

19. Please keep us posted. I will happily donate money for your project. n/t

[stuffmatters]

26. Me Too!

[CTyankee]

21. the thought of that kid without a blanket stabs at my heart...

when I was tutoring for Literacy Volunteers I taught a class in an inner city neighborhood. One of the attendees was a woman in her 50s whose "daughter" helped her in class. I thought the attendee was a bit old to have such a young daughter. Then the "daughter" told me: "I was given to her."

Her own mother could not keep her and she was given to her grandmother as a baby. I had to hold back the tears when I heard that. She was a bright kid and happy to help her grandmother get English language skills, but at a young age she had to deal with the fact that she was "given" away as a baby...

[donnasgirl]

22. This is the kind of story that drives me nuts

Is there a way we can send in a donation of some kind.

[BobTheSubgenius]

23. That a child like that would end up in a program like yours is small surprise.

How could ANYONE grow up in those kinds of conditions and develop "normally?" Staying on the right side of the law would be an achievement, in my opinion.

[demtenjeep]

25. so true

we have another student that was sent home for lice for the 3rd time since Jan.

He basically said he has had lice since he was 9. He and his mother live in a shack probably with no running water.

He is always hungry. I keep snacks like apple pies and things so I can just give the students something they can put in their pockets and eat later.

I just do not get how people don't take care of their kids.

[herding cats]

46. Sometimes people can't take care of themselves, let alone their kids.

I've lived in the midst of families like that at times in my life. The reasons may vary, but the end result on the children is always the same.

The system isn't designed to advance, to break free. I've witnessed people giving up before.

[Savannahmann]

24. Let us know when you're ready to collect.

I'm sure that several of us would be happy to chip in a little something to the effort.

[KittyWampus]

27. JoAnn Fabrics has coupons for half off one item once a month. That's half off the entire cut

of fabric. So 50 yards- you'd be paying for 25 yards.

And you might even find a local store to donate fabric.

ALSO- PLEASE REACH OUT TO LOCAL QUILTING GROUPS.

I almost guarantee if you ask, they will answer.

Quilters are notorious for having large stashes and leftover scraps and will either donate fabric, an actual sewn quilt or an unfinished object to complete.

To find local quilting groups check meetup.org or if you need help finding them ask me and I'll help.

[Arkansas Granny]

29. As others have said, please keep us posted and let us know how we can help.

I can't imagine growing up under those circumstances.

[mnhtnbb]

30. It reminds me of the line in "The Blind Side"

when Leigh Anne Tuohy shows Michael Oher the room she's
cleaned out and furnished for him to have in their home.
He says he's never had one of his own, and she thinks he means a room,
but he responds no, a bed.

So, now it's even worse than that. Students without even a blanket of their own.

It's beyond sad. It's appalling that in a country that has the resources we have there
are kids sleeping at night without even a blanket to keep them warm

What has happened to our humanity?

Good for you and your hubby providing a blanket and good luck with your project next year.
Do let us know what we can do here on DU.

[840high]

31. This touched my heart. Are

we in America?
Let us know when we can help.

[demtenjeep]

32. if we get enough $ for material, we will do it 2 x a school year as our students in spring will be

different than the students in the fall

I am hoping this could be an ongoing project every year.


We take basic things for granted.

I grew up poor but I always had a blanket or two to choose from

[demtenjeep]

33. The hour after he told me this I just cried

I just could not comprehend not having basics

[Liberalynn]

35. I am so glad there are people like you still left in this world.

[Enthusiast]

36. The poor have it too easy in this country.

Limbaugh said.

[heaven05]

37. good heart

sad that in the 'richest', for the 1%, country in the world kids have to go hungry and cold. Truly sad and a statement on where we are in caring for our own. Thank god for human beings like you trying to hold the line against the evil this county lets happen to it's own.

[csziggy]

38. Keep an eye out at JoAnn's Fabric stores this time of year

Last few times I was in one, they had big bins out front with the "no sew" fleece blanket "kits" for 40% or more off. Many of the patterns are super hero or comic characters but the blankets would still be usable and some of the kids might like the designs. If you go to their website, they have the weekly ads online and offer coupons. Right now they have 50% off Blizzard Fleece Solids & Prints: http://www.joann.com/fabric/fleece-fabric/?prefn1=collection&prefv1=Anti%20Pill|Blizzard&icn=Home&ici=Main-1

In addition, JoAnn's offers discounts to teachers and veterans if anyone you know qualifies:
http://www.joann.com/teacherrewards/
http://www.joann.com/militarydiscount/

Also check into their Corporate Giving programs:

Kids In Need Foundation

Kids In Need provides school supplies to impoverished children and under-funded teachers through their national channel of Resource Centers. The Foundation's mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed. More than $300 million in school supplies and nearly $1 million in teacher grants have been donated to date.
http://www.joann.com/corporate-giving.html

I would go through their corporate offices for donations - the local managers don't seem to have much discretion and have little time to deal with anything.

[demtenjeep]

43. Many thanks

Thank you for that Info

I had no idea!

[Liberal_in_LA]

58. good tips. i got.blankets for a charity at joannes

[yuiyoshida]

39. If the Repubicans win in 2016

We may all need blankets..

[Terra Alta]

40. you did a good thing.

It was a very simple thing to do -- but it meant the world to your student. Wish all teachers were like you.

[George II]

41. And the rightwingers would immediately commment when they read this paragraph:

"I run an incentive program to aid the students in good behavior. Each week the students earn tickets every hour for doing what they are supposed to be doing."

"You reward them for doing what they are supposed to do?"

My parents used to keep three or four old coats in the trunk of their car. Whenever they drove past a homeless person who didn't have a good coat or looked cold, they'd stop and pull one out and give it to him. Simple, but it made THREE people happy - the homeless person and both of them.

[demtenjeep]

49. I don't give a flip what any republicans say. it is my experience that all of them are assholes

as evidenced by the idiot basement dwellers making fun of this very thread



Over the years I used to try to give RW the benefit of the doubt and assume they had good intentions until they proved otherwise but the last 7 years their ignorance and hatred have just worked to end that thinking. Now they are all just asses

[democrank]

42. The world needs more people like you, demtenjeep.

Your post was so touching. Thank you for what you do.

[marble falls]

44. Sometimes the smallest thing we do is the biggest thing that needs to be done, a small handfull...

solutions can be a lot more effective than a big one. Bless you and your husband!

[RiffRandell]

45. Breaks my heart.

Thank you for buying him a blanket and the work you do.

[Thespian2]

47. Kudos to you!

It is amazing that such a rich country allows such poverty...

[yardwork]

48. Well, that puts things in perspective.

Please send me a private message. I would like to donate to your project. And thank you for your kindness. May you be blessed.

[one_voice]

50. K&R

If there is ever a way to donate and help please let us know. I would certainly help.

Thanks for all you do.

[LWolf]

51. Thank you. nt

[demtenjeep]

52. thank you all for the expressions of love, hope and help. It warms my heart to know there are peopl

still willing to invest on our children. I am going to talk with the group teacher that is partnering with me to see what she thinks of setting up a go fund me site. As I have said before, we think it is so important that we were willing to fund it ourselves, however if we could get more than what we can afford to do, we could maybe get more to sustain it for years to come. That would be really making a difference long term.

We are just one piece of the many pieces these kids need.

You could not even imagine what some of these kids go through.

One of my students had a cousin and his friend that was killed in a car wreck a couple weeks ago. Turns out I had had both of the boys as my students the year before.

Another student is having issues with his step-father eventually the police might have to be called. Another has lice and has had off and on since he was 9 Daily a student has something bad going on. Short of taking them all home and being the mother...I do what little I can to make their lives better while I can.

The only concern I have is what I can do to make their daily lives better.

Your showing of love and offers to help warm my heart.

I definitely will let you guys know how you can help ---the ones that want to help. You guys are my heros

[demtenjeep]

53. trying to set up the go fund me site

but am having some difficulty. will figure it out tomorrow

[demtenjeep]

54. did I do this right?

http://www.gofundme.com/qdr6mw

[lovemydog]

56. It looks good to me!

Maybe consider putting the link in your first post in this thread.

[elleng]

59. Yes, you did.

As suggested, put this 'up front,' and maybe begin another Thread.

[elleng]

67. KICKING, for attention!

[lovemydog]

55. Thanks so much for your active involvement

demtenjeep. It's threads like this one that keep me coming back to DU. I too look forward to hearing more about your efforts and wish you the best of luck.

[demtenjeep]

57. will definitely take pictures as we are doing this

if we get enough donations, we might can do the first batch before the students leave for the summer. I am so excited.

[calimary]

61. Kicking to keep this high up.

Beautiful thing you're doing, demtenjeep.

[mnhtnbb]

62. Kicking. Notice the link to the gofundmepage now active.

[s-cubed]

63. Just donated. Thanks for helping these kids. nt

[OldRedneck]

64. Pillowcases

My wife is a quilter; she belongs to three local quilting guilds. (Three because one of them includes women who use machines to make their quilts; the other two are purists -- EVERY stitch goes in by hand.)

About four years ago, one of the hand-quilter guilds hosted a presentation by a lady from local social services who spoke about needs in our county. The guild decided to make pillowcases. Now, pillowcases are NOT easy to make -- requires very careful folding and stitching. Twice a year they make 3-4 dozen pillowcases and deliver them to social services.

Why pillowcases?

1. So a kid has something to call his/her own. When they are shuttled off to another foster family, they can, at least, take the pillowcase with them.

2. They can stuff their belongings in the pillowcase and carry everything they own with them.

Welcome to rural Virginia where Republicans control our Board of Supervisors and our state legislature.

[KittyWampus]

66. Quilters & quilting groups are amongst the most generous. Always willing to stitch f/ those in need.

Not sure why.

From a purely selfish standpoint… it helps ME shrink down my fabric stash

[cali]

65. thank you for what you do. I think you can find even cheaper prices for fleece

http://www.fleece-fabric.com/

[demtenjeep]

73. oh thank you

that helps a lot!

[elleng]

68. Another KICK:

[pansypoo53219]

69. KILL TINKLE DOWN. exile grover to somalia.

[hamsterjill]

70. I'm crying.

Sitting at my desk and crying. The pain in this world just makes me sick sometimes.

Thank you for being a positive force and I know that your kindness made a BIG impact on that young man.

Good heavens! In a country as rich as this, a young man doesn't even have a blanket? I hate what that says about humanity.

[demtenjeep]

71. thank you all

I never imagined an idea could get to reality so great. Thank you all so very much. I told my principal today and he was blown away by your kindness

[demtenjeep]

72. Thank you~

I truly am amazed at how generous the DU world is.

I never doubt it but to see it play out just makes me so happy.

I will post pictures along the way.

Because of the generous nature we will get to do this starting in May, then again in November and then again next May and hopefully beyond that as well.

From the bottom of my heart we thank you so very very much.

[demtenjeep]

74. after only a day we are $70.00 away from our goal

you guys are so awesome, words can not express.

[mnhtnbb]

75. Guess what?!? Your goal has just been reached!

[Trajan]

76. Done deal

GLAD to help ... You ROCK!

[KarenS]

77. "How can someone not even have a blanket to call their own?"

How, indeed? This makes me weep.

Thank you for your efforts to help these kids!


Your gofundme page looks good.

Kicking for exposure!!

[demtenjeep]

78. you all are so awesome

Thank you EVERY ONE who donated and helped this goal to be reached in such a short amount of time. Know that your generosity given donations have touched the life of a student that most people wouldn't give a second look too. Because we reached our goal, we are going to close this fund so that others can benefit. Thank you SO much.