Help Ellie Get to Wellesley Explo
Donation protected
This winter, my soon to be 9th grader Ellie fell in love with the Explo at Wellesley program, a 3-week summer program for students entering 8-9 grades on the campus of Wellesley College. Ellie is a kind soul, very quiet, but very engaged and ready to learn -- she just blossomed at the open house in front of my eyes and I knew then that I had to try to make this dream a reality. With more than 80 course options, the world is at her fingertips and she feels poised and ready to launch out on her own to make new friends and experience all life has to offer. Check out the program if new to you:
http://www.explo.org/360/wellesley
How could she not fall in love with Wellesley? We all did -- I did. It is my home away from home and I want to share this small piece of me with her. She knows Wellesley through all that I have done -- attend school there, be part of the fundraising efforts, help run reunions, be the class president, create Record Books -- when Wellesley asks, I answer each and every time. It's in my heart. Now I want it to be in hers.
As a parent, we want to provide for our children and while they can't have everything they want, as a parent you need to figure out how to give them what they need. We believe she needs this now more than ever to find her voice and confidence -- and as a result, we are doing everything we can (including starting this campaign). Never did I think I'd be reaching out in this way, but here I am.
We had hoped to be able to get some financial assistance from the program, but we did not qualify. This was heartbreaking. For the past five years our family has struggled with financial challenges I never as a Wellesley woman thought I'd face, but I remain strong and determined to fight my way foward.
Mike and I are working tirelessly to build our way back. He works full-time and I work at two part-time jobs which provide flexibility so that I can be home with the kids after school. When I can, I work a third job. We give back to our community every chance we get with what we have to give, as we have accepted scholarship help before and this is our way to say thanks until we can help fill the scholarship coiffures for others (which we will do someday!). We coach, run scout troops, volunteer on the school PTOs, help at church, go on mission trips, host a Fresh Air Fund child, give in numerous ways to our colleges -- you name it, we do it, as we are going to pay it forward with outreach until we can pay it forward with money.
We are hopeful that with a small donation on your part, we can raise what we need to send Ellie to the program. A friend reminded me that I shouldn't feel bad about putting my situation out there or asking for help. This may not be something you can or want to do, and that's fine. Should we be lucky enough to raise more than we need, we'll donate it to the program's scholarship/grant program. With gratitude, Karen Body Brennan, Wellesley College Class of 1989
http://www.explo.org/360/wellesley
How could she not fall in love with Wellesley? We all did -- I did. It is my home away from home and I want to share this small piece of me with her. She knows Wellesley through all that I have done -- attend school there, be part of the fundraising efforts, help run reunions, be the class president, create Record Books -- when Wellesley asks, I answer each and every time. It's in my heart. Now I want it to be in hers.
As a parent, we want to provide for our children and while they can't have everything they want, as a parent you need to figure out how to give them what they need. We believe she needs this now more than ever to find her voice and confidence -- and as a result, we are doing everything we can (including starting this campaign). Never did I think I'd be reaching out in this way, but here I am.
We had hoped to be able to get some financial assistance from the program, but we did not qualify. This was heartbreaking. For the past five years our family has struggled with financial challenges I never as a Wellesley woman thought I'd face, but I remain strong and determined to fight my way foward.
Mike and I are working tirelessly to build our way back. He works full-time and I work at two part-time jobs which provide flexibility so that I can be home with the kids after school. When I can, I work a third job. We give back to our community every chance we get with what we have to give, as we have accepted scholarship help before and this is our way to say thanks until we can help fill the scholarship coiffures for others (which we will do someday!). We coach, run scout troops, volunteer on the school PTOs, help at church, go on mission trips, host a Fresh Air Fund child, give in numerous ways to our colleges -- you name it, we do it, as we are going to pay it forward with outreach until we can pay it forward with money.
We are hopeful that with a small donation on your part, we can raise what we need to send Ellie to the program. A friend reminded me that I shouldn't feel bad about putting my situation out there or asking for help. This may not be something you can or want to do, and that's fine. Should we be lucky enough to raise more than we need, we'll donate it to the program's scholarship/grant program. With gratitude, Karen Body Brennan, Wellesley College Class of 1989
Organizer
Karen Brennan
Organizer
Darien, CT