Project Description

As a 13 year old American, I take much for granted. I realized this even more so last year, as I went on vacation with my family to Costa Rica. It is a beatiful county, with friendly people. However, I was shocked to see the condition that some children live in. As we traveled trough I saw schools (which resemble what we use here as tool sheds)and children going to school with no shoes and no supplies. Since then I have wante dto do something about it and I am ready to act! This organization is now dedicated and commited to help those kids and teens. It is founded by America kids and teens for Costa Rican kids and teens. Our goal is to raise funds and supplies to send over to Costa Rica one school at a time. It does not take much. If everyone donates either a 75 cent pack of pencils or $1 we can do wonders! My parents have volunteered to help with the shipping cost of the supplies. So let's get busy!!

Project Description

The South County Health Department in Alexandria, VA partners with Inova Health Systems, Fairfax County Government, Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants(VAPA) and Fort Belvoir to host free health physicals for 150 underprivileged and homeless children, aging from 3-12 yo. Backpacks are donated, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and VAPA provide free books and bicyle helmets for the children. They are screened for hearing and vision, medical abnormalities, given immunizations and provided information regarding affordable health insurance. These physicals are provided by 105 health professionals (MD, RN, PA) who volunteer their time and energy for the one day event. Currently there are more than 150 underprivileged children who need the screening but we must limit the number for the event at this time. The date for this year is August 9, 2008. We would like to also provide school supplies for the children so that they can attend school on the first day with the tools to learn and will have all the supplies that the more privileged children have. We have not been successful with the major suppliers ( Office Depot, Staples) in obtaining these supplies due to overwhelming requests from other organizations as well. We feel that providing this group of children with a backpack that contains school supplies would make a difference.. Thank you in advance for your consideration. This program has a six year proven success and with your assistance, we hope to continue to grow in support. Please feel free to contact me at [edited by DS Staff] or Bonnie Lilley who coordinates the event at [edited by DS Staff]

Project Description

The student council of McKinney High School implemented in McKinney ISD a district wide project called “Fill the Bus”. The students of all elememtary middle and high schools donate new school supplies, and new/gently used backpacks and books. High school student council officers pick up donated school supplies from all of the schools throughout the district, in a big yellow school bus. We literally "fill the bus" with the donated supplies. Then the supplies are sorted and distributed to students who need them. I had the privilege to volunteer that day and see all of the young kids so spirited and happy and excited to help others in need!

Project Description

Backpacks to Hope is a project that is very close to me. When I was younger I spent 5 1/2 years in foster care. One of the things I always remember is the feeling of hopeless desperation and embarrassment on the first days of school, because like so many other children in they system I never had any school supplies or a new backpack. Now life is different for me - I have a family. I believe in the idea of "paying it forward" and never forgetting where you come from. I want to give kids in the system some hope and help them feel better about starting school. So this is why, at the end of the 06-07 school year, I began collecting backpacks for the children living in foster care at The Children's Home in Tampa. First, I went to my mom's school and presented my idea to all the teachers that work at that school (Seminole Heights Elementary). I asked for their help to collect backpacks and school supplies for the children at the Children's Home. I collected ten backpack; lots os school supplies (crayons, pencils, folders, and paper), and $120 dollars in bills for backpacks. The total was about $220. Then I presented this project to everyone at my school. I sent flyers home to the students at my school. I ended up collecting more than twenty backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, folders, erasers, glue, spiral notebooks, notebooks, glue sticks, scissors, and lunch boxes. I estimated everything donated from my school to be worth over $500. This year I am again collecting backpacks and school supplies. My goal is to supply each child living at the Children's Home with a backpack and school supplies.

Project Description

We sponsored a drive to collect neede items for the Rainbow House for abused children

Project Description

The organization Brazil's Children raises money and education supplies in Mount Vernon, New York to send to a children's afterschool program in Poces De Caldes, Minas Gerais Brazil. The money is raised in America through donation and fundraisers within the Brazilian community for the benefit of their compatriots at home.

The most recent event was an indoor soccer tournament on November 25th attended by over 100 people. The money raised by the event will be used to ship children's books donated by elementry school libraries to Poces de Caldes. Here is a link to the news article in a popular Brazilian paper recounting the success of the tournament: http://comunidadenews.com/?secao=noticias_ver&id=3273.

The children's program Galpao das Gallinas helps keeps kids off the streets when not in school. They currently have programs for arts and crafts, pottery, weaving and sports. Hopefully with our help, they will be able to create a library of English books and expand their current English cirriculum.

Last February, the focus was not on educational material but rather sports equipment. Brazil's Children sent soccer balls and other necessary equipment to the children. Hopefully with our enxt package we can have the same kind of impact.

This summer, Brazil's Children hopes to send a current college student to teach English in Poces de Caldes. This will be a great step for the young organization currently in the process of web development. Once we open our website, we will be able to reach more people and continue our good efforts.

Our next trip to Brazil is planned for this January to bring the collected books to Galpao das Gallinas.