Help the Students of Strawberry Town Get Education Next Year

Grace Park is organizing this fundraiser to benefit 4 Christ Mission.

Tax deductible

Hello friends~

I am raising money on behalf of 20 students in Strawberry Town to fund their education for the next year! I would love it if you could support this campaign (that ends 12/31/2024) so that not a single student will get left behind next year!

Strawberry Town, or San Telmo, is a rural town in Mexico where over half of all residents are strawberry pickers. The town’s story began when a major berry corporation recruited some families from Oaxaca with false promises of stable jobs and a thriving new community. Unfortunately, those jobs came with grueling 10+ HOUR labor for a measly total of $5.. Despite these conditions, the residents have no choice but to be bound to the fields. (wiki page)

Strawberry Town currently has just two vital institutions: a church and a school established in 2009. The school’s mission is so simple yet powerful: to give the children opportunities for higher education so they won’t be bound to the strawberry fields like their parents. Before the school was started, literacy was almost non-existent in Strawberry Town.

One story that stood out to me was of this young girl who shared in class that her mother had cried when the little girl taught her mother how to write her own name. The mother, having only heard her name, was so touched that she shed tears when she saw it written on paper for the first time. For us, reading and writing are so second nature to us that we rarely even think about it, but the reality is that there are still people in the world who don't know how to read and write simply because they were not born with the privileges of living in a first world country.

The education of San Telmo’s children offers hope for REAL transformation in Strawberry Town. Through the powerful minds of these young children, we believe that real change can happen in this small forgotten town. There are only 20 students left that need sponsorship for their education next year! C’MON LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN SO THAT NO STUDENT GETS LEFT BEHIND!

HOW MUCH DO I GIVE?

ANY amount you would like to give! Every cent will go directly to the tuition for the remaining 20 students.

For Context:

$25 = 1 month of education
$150 = 6 months of education
$300 = 1 year of education

SOO, IS THIS LEGIT?

Yes! A 10000% yes! I will also be visiting these kids near Christmas on 12/20/24-12/22/24, so I will send all the donors a photo + small gift!

WHY SHOULD I EVEN DO THIS?:

Because we’ve all been touched by the generosity of complete strangers in our lives. Unexpected opportunity or “luck” that seemed to have found us in such timely and perfect manner is something we've all experienced before. A kind stranger who returned your lost item or a generous friend that covered your meal during a hard time, we all know how it feels to be met with kindness. And knowing that we will continue to be met with such love, it is a perfect time to share in this spirit as we head in towards the Holidays! For to the one who gives, more will be given. (Luke 6:38).

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

TAX-BENEFITS: You will get a tax deduction for your donation! This means you will pay less on your taxes. Guess who will send you a document on how to get this tax deduction just in time for tax season next year? ME!
GUILT-FREE STRAWBERRIES: Chomp on those strawberries year round knowing that you deserve those tarty bursts of goodness.
GOD’S BLESSING: Believer or not, this will be the most valuable thing you will receive.

AND FINALLY:

I love you. Regardless of whether you donate or not, if you read it this far, I just want to let you know that you are loved by me! Out of 8 billion people currently living in the world, and centuries of lives that have existed before, somehow, I am privileged enough to be alive today to do life together with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! Excited for another year with YOU!