YA Friends Helping Friends
Donation protected
Dear Yinghua families,
On Tuesday afternoon, February 19, the Yinghua Academy school community learned from the mom of 4th grader Elias Parson-Timbo in 4B that the family's home was consumed by fire. Lorien, Elias's mom, had gone home mid-day to do some online work only to find fire trucks at their home. They lost everything including their dog, which is so devastating. They lived just three blocks from school so often mom or dad would walk over with the black lab to pick up Elias; you may have seen him patiently waiting, tethered to the red railings outside door #1. Elias's mom explained what they know. They know the fire started in the basement. None of the family was home at the time. A neighbor smelled smoke and noticed it coming from the Parson-Timbo's home. He immediately banged on the front door and realized no one was home so he called 911 immediately. Although the fire trucks from NE arrived within 5-10 minutes, their home is considered a complete loss. For now, they are living with neighbors. Elias and his family are so grateful for their families, neighbors, friends, and the Yinghua school community, who have offered support of every kind imaginable!
Needless to say, the question that immediately raced through our minds is how can we best help Elias and his family? We thought of uniforms so we gathered a bundle of shirts, pants, and sweatshirts. In addition, we put in two new spirit shirts. This is just the beginning, of course. I spoke with Elias's mom and dad to share our desire to help. Needless to say, they are very busy making sense of this tragedy, meeting with adjusters, and and making plans for their future.
We do have a plan for our first community fundraising effort to help, and we're calling it "Friends Helping Friends". Friday, February 22, is already a non-uniform day with a "color clash" theme. An added feature will be an opportunity to make a donation to the Parson-Timbo family. No matter how little or how much, each student, teacher, staff, or parent who donates will receive a "Friends Helping Friends" sticker. This strong visual...much like the red "I Voted" stickers on
election day...will send such a sweet message to Elias and his family that communicates how many of us care. With that money, they can begin to purchase the things they need most, perhaps because it is a necessity or the replacement of a treasured keepsake.
You may send cash with your child in an envelope, or you may write a check to Yinghua Academy with "donation to the Parson-Timbo Family" in the memo line in addition to donating online.
I hope we can all join in by setting a fine example for our kids. This is community service at the most meaningful level! Whether a person gives a quarter, five dollars, or more, it is the gesture of giving that we hope to cultivate. Together we're better!
On Tuesday afternoon, February 19, the Yinghua Academy school community learned from the mom of 4th grader Elias Parson-Timbo in 4B that the family's home was consumed by fire. Lorien, Elias's mom, had gone home mid-day to do some online work only to find fire trucks at their home. They lost everything including their dog, which is so devastating. They lived just three blocks from school so often mom or dad would walk over with the black lab to pick up Elias; you may have seen him patiently waiting, tethered to the red railings outside door #1. Elias's mom explained what they know. They know the fire started in the basement. None of the family was home at the time. A neighbor smelled smoke and noticed it coming from the Parson-Timbo's home. He immediately banged on the front door and realized no one was home so he called 911 immediately. Although the fire trucks from NE arrived within 5-10 minutes, their home is considered a complete loss. For now, they are living with neighbors. Elias and his family are so grateful for their families, neighbors, friends, and the Yinghua school community, who have offered support of every kind imaginable!
Needless to say, the question that immediately raced through our minds is how can we best help Elias and his family? We thought of uniforms so we gathered a bundle of shirts, pants, and sweatshirts. In addition, we put in two new spirit shirts. This is just the beginning, of course. I spoke with Elias's mom and dad to share our desire to help. Needless to say, they are very busy making sense of this tragedy, meeting with adjusters, and and making plans for their future.
We do have a plan for our first community fundraising effort to help, and we're calling it "Friends Helping Friends". Friday, February 22, is already a non-uniform day with a "color clash" theme. An added feature will be an opportunity to make a donation to the Parson-Timbo family. No matter how little or how much, each student, teacher, staff, or parent who donates will receive a "Friends Helping Friends" sticker. This strong visual...much like the red "I Voted" stickers on
election day...will send such a sweet message to Elias and his family that communicates how many of us care. With that money, they can begin to purchase the things they need most, perhaps because it is a necessity or the replacement of a treasured keepsake.
You may send cash with your child in an envelope, or you may write a check to Yinghua Academy with "donation to the Parson-Timbo Family" in the memo line in addition to donating online.
I hope we can all join in by setting a fine example for our kids. This is community service at the most meaningful level! Whether a person gives a quarter, five dollars, or more, it is the gesture of giving that we hope to cultivate. Together we're better!
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Berg
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Aaron Timbo
Beneficiary