DonorsChoose.org Makes It Sweet To Start School!
Yesterday I was in Office Max, crowded with eager kids and teens shopping with their grown-ups for new school supplies. I could see the excitement of a fresh school year, a clean start, a chance to learn, socialize, accomplish and grow. The new paper, pens and binders serving as a physical example to the children of the investment both monetarily and emotionally that their families are contributing. As I strolled up and down the aisles, I reminisced about my days back in school and how proud I felt when I got a good grade on hard test or made the winning stroke in a tennis match.
Don’t all kids deserve to feel a sense of accomplishment in school?
This is not a trick question and the obvious answer is yes. The trick is how do we create an environment where this is possibility. The list of needed improvements in our public schools is lengthy, and attempting to tackle the list could understandable overwhelm the noblest attempt. Many of the desperately needed changes are simple in their design but remain unimplemented due to political disparities, lack of monetary distribution or unfortunately a societal list of priorities that doesn’t place our children and teachers in the forefront. With that being said, the situation is not hopeless and there are many things we can do on a daily basis that will make positive changes in our schools and children.
Personally, I suggest donating to DonorsChoose.org. It is an incredible organization that allows individuals to donate directly to the public school and lesson plan of their choice. Simply put, teachers fill-out detailed forms requesting the supplies they need and how these supplies will be implemented into the curriculum. The materials can be as basic as pens and paper to books, art supplies, even sporting equipment. As the donor, you read through the requests and select what project(s) you would like to support, donating the total amount needed or just a small portion. Clearly every cent is valuable. The schools are categorized by location, grade level, subject, urgency and school’s poverty level. Once a project has been funded, DonorsChoose.org purchases and delivers the materials directly to the school, guaranteeing every donated cent is used. I think the final part of the process is the most valuable for the children and helps raise their level of self-esteem. Once the students have used the materials, the teacher and students write (or draw for younger children) thank you notes to the donor. Understanding that people support your education and believe in you is a powerful message, especially when it comes from strangers.
According to DonorsChoose.org’s website, the organization was “pioneered by teachers at a Bronx, New York public high school in 2000 who saw first-hand the scarcity of material in the public school classrooms. They created a nation-wide website as a forum for citizens to donate directed contributions that provide materials for out-lined projects in public schools.”
At Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams we donate 3% of all profits to support New York and Austin Public Schools with the highest poverty level through DonorsChoose.org . I love this organization because it is so simple, direct and immediately helps our children today. As a former school teacher, I couldn’t be more impressed with the work this organization is doing. Otherwise teachers would need to pay for these projects out of their own salary or forfeit the curriculum all together.
You can check out the Sharing Page here at Alexandra’s Cookie Dreams website to learn about the projects ‘ACD’ has supported and read quotes from the teachers who submitted the proposals. I think this is the best way to kick start the school year. Click here to go directly to DonorsChoose.org website. You’ll be glad you did.
Let me know your thoughts on this organization …
Sweetly,
Alexandra
Tags: Alexandra's Cookie Dreams, donating to public schools, DonorsChoose.org