08/31/2005: Project Pencils III

We did it. Once more, we managed to help several hundred children return to school with brand new school supplies. With the help of several churches and local corporations (as well as individual donors), we donated over 250 backpacks with additional boxes of supplies to children working with social services agencies in northern New Jersey as well as shipped numerous boxes to Virgie, Kentucky (along with toys, clothing, and household goods). It's always rewarding when these collections are over. The relief on the faces of the social services workers as well as the children who receive the goods is worth the time and energy collecting the items.

Of course, I always reflect back on the project when it is completed and wish we could have helped more people and more agencies. But I'm very grateful for the children we did managed to help.

As always, a special thank you to Assumption Church for their continued dedication and support.

August 2005: Donors Keep Coming...

Just when I think I am down and out, donors surprise the life out of me. One donor contacted me and she personally collect over 100 notebooks, dozens of pens, crayons, etc. Assumption Church is collecting goods again as in Sankyo Pharma. It's a good feeling to know that so many people out there care. It's refreshing to know that my efforts have the support of people in the community.

This year was hard because I scaled back, partially due to a lack of volunteers to help me manage, partially due to my burnout from overextending myself during the past holiday season, and partially due to extensive construction at our house which severely decreased any sort of storage space. But the donors are coming through with notebooks and backpacks for these children. Thank you, thank you. The children will be so happy...