Lizz's Kids
Donation protected
My dear friend Lizz Jensen works at the Greenfield Library in South Monterey County. Her job brings her into contact with dozens of kids whose families are really struggling. As Lizz recently wrote, "the most heart- wrenching part of my job is seeing the kids through the holidays. One of my co-workers asked a kid yesterday if they ate lots of turkey on Thanksgiving. The child hung her head and softly said no. Last year I made the same mistake and ask one if she had a nice Christmas. Same answer. These kids really have nothing...Last year I threw a Christmas party on the last day of school, just cookies, milk, and candy canes, but those kids were so appreciative. I definitely will do the same this year, I wish I could do more."
Lizz and her elves are getting together to provide these kids with a small bag of goodies for the holidays. Each bag will contain a pair of gloves, a hat, a granola bar, a tangerine, and a candy cane. We estimate that the bags will cost $7 each; Lizz plans to distribute at least 70 bags this Christmas. The city of Greenfield is made up primarily of field workers; with the recent rains, they have lost a week of work. This may be the only gift these kids get. Our immediate goal is to cover the cost of the bags, at a cost of $490.
We also hope to raise funds for ongoing needs throughout the year. We set a total goal for $1000 but if we exceed that, so much the better. Funds will buy supplies throughout the year. Lizz told us that one local "elementary school issued all the students a t-shirt and shorts... at the beginning of the school year. Many kids wear [those] every single day. It breaks my heart to see kids in the rain wearing thin hoodies or shirt sleeves or flip flops. Many kids use a plastic bag as a backpack." While Lizz and her co-workers give the gift of learning and education that can help to break the cycle, they also often provide for more immediate needs--such as snacks for the kids--at their own expense. Other needs can't always be met.
The goal of this fund, then, is to provide assistance to all of Lizz's kids now and all year round.
I hope you will help us meet--or even exceed-- this goal!
Lizz and her elves are getting together to provide these kids with a small bag of goodies for the holidays. Each bag will contain a pair of gloves, a hat, a granola bar, a tangerine, and a candy cane. We estimate that the bags will cost $7 each; Lizz plans to distribute at least 70 bags this Christmas. The city of Greenfield is made up primarily of field workers; with the recent rains, they have lost a week of work. This may be the only gift these kids get. Our immediate goal is to cover the cost of the bags, at a cost of $490.
We also hope to raise funds for ongoing needs throughout the year. We set a total goal for $1000 but if we exceed that, so much the better. Funds will buy supplies throughout the year. Lizz told us that one local "elementary school issued all the students a t-shirt and shorts... at the beginning of the school year. Many kids wear [those] every single day. It breaks my heart to see kids in the rain wearing thin hoodies or shirt sleeves or flip flops. Many kids use a plastic bag as a backpack." While Lizz and her co-workers give the gift of learning and education that can help to break the cycle, they also often provide for more immediate needs--such as snacks for the kids--at their own expense. Other needs can't always be met.
The goal of this fund, then, is to provide assistance to all of Lizz's kids now and all year round.
I hope you will help us meet--or even exceed-- this goal!
Organizer
Jenny Thigpen
Organizer
Moscow, ID
