Aimee: I am asking for small donations.

                                                            
         I am coordinating this fundraiser to help one of my students, Aimee. Her mother, Angelica Medina is a woman with a positive attitude toward life and her future. She does not complain about her condition. We met during a parent/counselor conference, and as the meeting progressed, her health issues became obvious to me. I asked her if she was taking care of her affliction, she answered, "as much as I can, it is really an issue about money," to that I answered, "As a counselor, I remember saying to my students and clients that if money can fix a problem, it cannot be that bad." I noticed Ms. Median's did not agree so I added, "Come on, this is America!" 

I felt so foolish when Ms. Medina shared with me that her kidneys do not work. She is going to dialysis treatment three times per week. She was told she needs a kidney, but there is a long list of people waiting for one. Ironically, getting a kidney is not her problem, she told me she has a donor.  It is the money for surgery. Thus, it is a money issue.

I brought this case to our students, and many volunteered. I do not know how much money we are going to be able raise altogether, but I know we are going to make a difference.  Our students are going to help Aimee's mother, and by volunteering to help, they will have the opportunity to experience, selflessness, compassion and empathy. This experience will help our students to have a different perspective toward life. I told them, "You will be helping to save a life." The way I see it is that they will be learning something which cannot be measured with a standardized test.

This webpage will be another resource to get donations. Before, we made a banner, signs, and took pictures. One student made the video we uploaded.  Many others are selling wrist bands.

We will keep you posted.

Jose Leal