A Family Who Lost Everything
Da'Shaun Beverly is a 6th grade student in my class at Allen M. Stearne Elementary School in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Da'Shaun has spent all year amazing me with his intelligence, thoughtfulness and his complete and total dedication to obtaining, retaining and sharing knowledge. Da'Shaun is a fantastic athlete as well, but he has been raised to understand that it is his heart and his mind that will truly allow him to thrive. His perspective, his wisdom and his greatness is not a surprise. His mother, known fondly throughout Allen M. Stearne as Ms. Kim, has raised Da'Shaun and his sisters to be good, honest, kind and thoughtful people.
On the morning of Saturday February 22nd, Da'Shaun and his family were faced with a dangerous and traumatic experience. Their entire home went up in flames and was quickly engulfed, forcing them to throw precious belongings out the window before escaping. His family was blessed that everybody made it out alive.
Unfortunately, they lost everything. In Ms. Kim's words, they are truly starting from scratch. Da'Shaun, his two sisters and his mother are now without a home and without the basic possessions that allow us to comfortably and successfully go about our day. Da'Shaun and his family need everything from new shoes and clothes, toiletries, basic household items, books, backpacks and school supplies.
Where do you begin to rebuild when you have lost everything? The answer is you begin with a community. Over the next couple weeks it is my goal to support Da'Shaun's family with the help of the Allen M. Stearne community, the Frankford community, and the community of humanity. Anybody out there who has a heart, the mind and the financial comfortability to support a family in need, I ask you, please support in anyway that you can! 
