Charter School Greenhouse
Donation protected
Last September I began to volunteer exclusively with a local Charter School. I am a big fan of school choice, because my sole concern, is the student. Period.
Schools desperately need help in science. Being a Meteorologist, I began a Meteorology Club on campus. A small, dedicated group joined. Before we even met on day 1, one student, a 9th grader, helped procure a small greenhouse...not for any personal reasons...but to help science classes have some hands-on experience!
None of the teachers or staff took it upon themselves make it functional, so it remained empty, until January.
I volunteered again, and created a game-plan for design, contents, goals, etc. I decided we would grow foods we could incorporate into the school lunches! Therefore, the students would learn ecology, self sustainance, "going green". If it were successful, we would eventually campaign for a compost machine, to truly be self sustaining fom start to finish.
I began lobbying door-to-door, at local greenhouses and garden centers, to get donations. those that did, were mostly small stuff...but a few donated bigger ticket items or hard to find things.
On March 14, we had the biggest 1 day snowstorm on record, 36" in 18 hours. It caused a local college's dome...to collapse. As I am delivering the latest donations on March 16, I see the same has happened to our little greenhouse. It is a total loss.
I want to quit. The students do too. But what would be learned, if we do? And what could be learned, of we don't? So, after a couple friends suggested a GoFundMe, I decided, we will leave it to fate. Perhaps the lessons will be far greater than if we just quit...or if we never started this in the first place in January.
We are way behind the 8-ball now, because Spring is here, and we have no structure to even begin with, what has already been donated. The need is immediate and far more than we have resources for. I have nothing to offer you back, because I was doing this by colunteering and through donation anyway! What could I offer back?
From greatest to least, we require:
-A physical structure ($750 minimum)
-A watering system kit ($250 min)
-Tables/benches for plants (?)
-Heating system for year round ($500 min)
-Heat lamps ($250)
-Heating pads ($200)
I am leaving it in your hands. A lesson will be learned by the student body. I hope/pray it is a good one.
Thank you :)
Schools desperately need help in science. Being a Meteorologist, I began a Meteorology Club on campus. A small, dedicated group joined. Before we even met on day 1, one student, a 9th grader, helped procure a small greenhouse...not for any personal reasons...but to help science classes have some hands-on experience!
None of the teachers or staff took it upon themselves make it functional, so it remained empty, until January.
I volunteered again, and created a game-plan for design, contents, goals, etc. I decided we would grow foods we could incorporate into the school lunches! Therefore, the students would learn ecology, self sustainance, "going green". If it were successful, we would eventually campaign for a compost machine, to truly be self sustaining fom start to finish.
I began lobbying door-to-door, at local greenhouses and garden centers, to get donations. those that did, were mostly small stuff...but a few donated bigger ticket items or hard to find things.
On March 14, we had the biggest 1 day snowstorm on record, 36" in 18 hours. It caused a local college's dome...to collapse. As I am delivering the latest donations on March 16, I see the same has happened to our little greenhouse. It is a total loss.
I want to quit. The students do too. But what would be learned, if we do? And what could be learned, of we don't? So, after a couple friends suggested a GoFundMe, I decided, we will leave it to fate. Perhaps the lessons will be far greater than if we just quit...or if we never started this in the first place in January.
We are way behind the 8-ball now, because Spring is here, and we have no structure to even begin with, what has already been donated. The need is immediate and far more than we have resources for. I have nothing to offer you back, because I was doing this by colunteering and through donation anyway! What could I offer back?
From greatest to least, we require:
-A physical structure ($750 minimum)
-A watering system kit ($250 min)
-Tables/benches for plants (?)
-Heating system for year round ($500 min)
-Heat lamps ($250)
-Heating pads ($200)
I am leaving it in your hands. A lesson will be learned by the student body. I hope/pray it is a good one.
Thank you :)
Organizer
Jeff Matthews
Organizer
Utica, NY
