Sunday, August 23, 2009

Pack to School

My dear friend Rae Ann started the Shadow Light Foundation over 19 years ago now and I've been involved in one way or another for the majority of the years I've known her. She does so much for the community and for those that have great need both at Christmas time and during the beginning of the school year. She calls this program "PACK to SCHOOL" where children in need are provided with a Backpack filled with school supplies and a new school outfit. It's been a wonderful blessing to me and my family to be involved in helping her each year.

Here are a few pictures that I took that day. You can see the entire article printed in our local newspaper on August 15th. Just click HERE to read it.

Lots of Donated Backpacks.

More Backpacks!

My dear Friend Rae Ann is giving direction to the girls who came to help put the backpacks together. There were about 18-20 of us helping and when the service project was done over a 100 kids were given a backpack for school along with an outfit, socks, underwear, and a pair of shoes.

Brand New Donated Clothing for Children in our Community.

Here are the lists of school supplies broken down by grade.




Here's Kenna & Olivia.
They were both so excited to be helping.

Look at all the wonderful donations from friends and neighbors in our community.


What a great way to give back to our community!

Thanks Rae Ann for being my friend!
You INSPIRE ME!

23 comments:

loulee said...

What a generous and wonderful idea.

Betsy said...

Kim definetly a lovely idea. This was the first year that I was not asked if I need anything for my classroom by parents. I can feel their stress and I work in a school where the majority of the students are well off.

Carol said...

What an absolutely incredible project. Thank you for sharing it with us. As a retired teacher I know how important it is for every child to have what they need to start school. Fantastic!

Pat said...

As a retired teacher, it brings tears to my eyes to know that your group helped make the first day of school happier for so many children (who would have otherwise gone there feeling pretty badly with their old backpacks and old clothing). God bless all of you for this wonderful effort!

Unknown said...

I have hear of projects like these. They are fantastic! What a great way to spend your day and feel good about what you are doing!

Cindy said...

A true blessing to have a place in one's heart for helping other.

I really love this idea - making a child smile is priceless.

suz said...

What a wonderful program. A secretary in my office does a similar program for inner city kids in Boston, MA.
Wow, I can't believe how early you guys start school! My great-niece lives in Kansas and started school last week. You'd think we'd do the same thing here on the east coast to help with snow days.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

what a great project to be involved in - it is amazing how many children need help in getting school supplies.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Nedra said...

I've heard you mention RaeAnn before, and it's nice to be able to put a name with a face. What a great service! I'm impressed!

Trisha said...

That is so cool!

Needled Mom said...

What a fabulous project. Kuddos to all involved.

cockermom said...

Seeing this made my morning! Thank you!

Carin said...

What a fantastic project!

Jan said...

What a beautiful thing to do! God Bless Rae Ann and all you kind folks who are helping her :)

Lori Holt said...

Hi Kim
Rae Ann is really a sweet person. We also have a program like that in our area too that we help with. I love to involve the kids just like you have involved Kenna...wonderful post Kim.
Thanks for reminding us about all the things we can do to give back.
x Lori

Thimbleanna said...

What a wonderful project Kim! Our middle school here does something similar -- the kids are each asked to bring in supplies and then they spend an afternoon putting the backpacks together.

Nanette Merrill said...

Aw what a great project. Rae Ann is simply amazing. We get to rub shoulders with some of the most fabulous women in the whole world! I truly believe that.

The Rabbit Factory said...

What a wonderful thing to do! You ladies are fantastic!

Micki said...

How generous of all of you to get involved in this project!
Micki

Juliejaz said...

That's an awesome, generous and loving thing to do.

Di~ said...

Wow, I love that service project! It's is so great and to have some of the youth involved...tell her I'm inspired also!

randi--i have to say said...

This is wonderful! How awesome for the kids who will get these goodies!

Randi

http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/

Shari said...

This is just the best project! What a great thing for the community.