Vinny's Heroes
Donation protected
Seven years ago, a kitty came into our universe and the skies opened and peels of laughter rained down on us. "Vinny" greeted us daily with whisker kisses, made us laugh until we cried, allowed his brother to wear him around his neck like a scarf and climbed the 16 foot Christmas tree every single year before we decorated it, forcing us to drag out the ladder and wrestle him down. He was always making us smile--until the day he stopped breathing. He died a horrific death at the hands of another. Our pain is immeasurable but Vinny would want us to stop crying and make his time here worth the pain he endured.
We (Vinny's parents) work at a Title I school in a town in Colorado. Our kiddos are in great need of just about everything. Half of my class has lost a parent (or both) to violence and/or drugs. Many are lost in the system. We get up everyday and try to make a difference. But the teachers here, those in neighboring towns and across America do not make enough to supply these kids with the simple things and the local paper's Op Ed claims the teachers aren't doing enough. We've emptied our accounts and now we are seeking help elsewhere--in Vinny's name. As for "Heroes," you are our heroes. It takes something special to take the time to donate. The children who make it to school each day are our heroes. The teachers who clock in daily are our heroes.
We requested the group (Mesa Veterinary Clinic) that failed Vinny to help with these costs, but instead we have a battle royale with insurance agents. Our credit cards are maxed out paying for their gross negligence but THIS campaign is not for us. Or our credit cards. This fund-raising will go on with monthly reminders and donations in Vinny's name to be shared with teachers in need to fund STUDENT activities, clothing (we, personally, have simple uniforms and one of my girls still wears her first grade uniform top--and as the tallest girl in my 4th grade class, she clearly is not wearing one that fits), coats, scarves and gloves, food, supplies and sundries because some live in their cars and well, they most definitely need them. Soap, shampoo, lice treatments at times, bandages for boo-boos and the like simply aren't on their list of "buys." Neither are school supplies. (Teachers send teachers requests--word travels throughout the Title I communities, coast to coast, and we are asking in circles to each other--tomorrow we are bringing bags of potatoes and pies so some can have a Thanksgiving. It never ends. It is the classic robbing Peter to pay Paul. So we are asking outside this circle.)
These items can be on Vinny's supply list--with your help. A buck or two, here or there, or maybe more if you can find it in your couch or car console. Both my husband and I left careers of 40 years to move 1,500 miles to a town, where we did not know a soul, to help these children. Vinny made them laugh as part of many of my lesson plans. I wiped many tears when he was taken from us...off their faces and ours. He would want to make a difference.
Someone said, "But he was just a cat." No...he was our littlest (sometimes naughty) angel and our friend, my child; he was our laughter, he was my sparkle. Please help Vinny raise money to help these special children. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Your kindness has always been my inspiration. We have holidays coming and an empty wallet. Please and thank you! And that thank you comes from a place deep in my heart.
"If love could have saved Vinny, he would have lived forever."
Now it our turn to give some of that love to these children who have so little.
Good karma, sweet blessings, much love, glorious hugs and sparkles to all.
Deb
We (Vinny's parents) work at a Title I school in a town in Colorado. Our kiddos are in great need of just about everything. Half of my class has lost a parent (or both) to violence and/or drugs. Many are lost in the system. We get up everyday and try to make a difference. But the teachers here, those in neighboring towns and across America do not make enough to supply these kids with the simple things and the local paper's Op Ed claims the teachers aren't doing enough. We've emptied our accounts and now we are seeking help elsewhere--in Vinny's name. As for "Heroes," you are our heroes. It takes something special to take the time to donate. The children who make it to school each day are our heroes. The teachers who clock in daily are our heroes.
We requested the group (Mesa Veterinary Clinic) that failed Vinny to help with these costs, but instead we have a battle royale with insurance agents. Our credit cards are maxed out paying for their gross negligence but THIS campaign is not for us. Or our credit cards. This fund-raising will go on with monthly reminders and donations in Vinny's name to be shared with teachers in need to fund STUDENT activities, clothing (we, personally, have simple uniforms and one of my girls still wears her first grade uniform top--and as the tallest girl in my 4th grade class, she clearly is not wearing one that fits), coats, scarves and gloves, food, supplies and sundries because some live in their cars and well, they most definitely need them. Soap, shampoo, lice treatments at times, bandages for boo-boos and the like simply aren't on their list of "buys." Neither are school supplies. (Teachers send teachers requests--word travels throughout the Title I communities, coast to coast, and we are asking in circles to each other--tomorrow we are bringing bags of potatoes and pies so some can have a Thanksgiving. It never ends. It is the classic robbing Peter to pay Paul. So we are asking outside this circle.)
These items can be on Vinny's supply list--with your help. A buck or two, here or there, or maybe more if you can find it in your couch or car console. Both my husband and I left careers of 40 years to move 1,500 miles to a town, where we did not know a soul, to help these children. Vinny made them laugh as part of many of my lesson plans. I wiped many tears when he was taken from us...off their faces and ours. He would want to make a difference.
Someone said, "But he was just a cat." No...he was our littlest (sometimes naughty) angel and our friend, my child; he was our laughter, he was my sparkle. Please help Vinny raise money to help these special children. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Your kindness has always been my inspiration. We have holidays coming and an empty wallet. Please and thank you! And that thank you comes from a place deep in my heart.
"If love could have saved Vinny, he would have lived forever."
Now it our turn to give some of that love to these children who have so little.
Good karma, sweet blessings, much love, glorious hugs and sparkles to all.
Deb
Organizer
Debi Johnson-Champ
Organizer
Pueblo, CO
