Make 92 Children in Need Smile
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"Last spring, students dodged bullets on their way in."
With the holiday season approaching I have made it my mission to help 40 children in need by giving them the best damn holiday they have ever had! Read the story below to find out more about these kiddos and my journey:
In September my family and I packed up our things and moved in Syracuse, NY for my boyfriend's career. When we arrived in Syracuse we were blown away by the poverty in this city, in all of my life, I had never seen a city so desperate for help.
Shortly after arriving I took a job working as a teacher in the Syracuse City School district. Urban schools come with their own set of unique challenges, however, the reward is something I can't quite put into words.
I remember my first time driving to Delaware Primary School (900 S Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY) I was nervous to get out of my car and walk into the school. Delaware Primary is located in the most dangerous part of Syracuse with the highest poverty rate. Shootings, theft, and gang activity is a regular occurrence around the school.
"The neighborhood is one of the poorest, most crime-ridden in Upstate New York. Last spring, students dodged bullets on their way in. Drugs have been found on the new playground next door." -Syracuse.com
When I walked into Mr. Zollo's first grade class I immediately fell in love. I had no idea I was capable of caring and loving 25 kiddos that I had just met, but there I was! A majority of the students in this class have some sort of learning disability and almost every student comes from severe poverty.
At Delaware Primary and across the Syracuse City School District students are fed breakfast, lunch, and a snack before they leave. In most cases, this is the only food the child will eat all day.
Regularly the kiddos come to school complaining that their tummy hurts due to the fact that they most likely haven't eaten since they left. When Friday comes around teachers rush to pack student's bags full of any food that they can find to ensure the kids have something to get them through the few days they are away from school. Students come to school dirty, sick, and cold and unable to purchase warm clothing. The teachers here put their money together and buy warm jackets for any students who do not have them, as well as other supplies that the students may need.
Each time that I leave the kids, I worry about them. They are the sweetest group of students who are so appreciative of the attention and love they receive each day that I am with them.
With the holiday season approaching I have made it my mission to give these kids the best damn holiday they have ever had! There are 25 kiddos in my class but I'm planning on purchasing gifts for 40 (there are SO many students in need at this school, any additional money raised will be put towards purchasing more gifts)
Continue to check back for updates & pictures!
Here are some Syracuse City facts:
- Syracuse graduation rate reaches 55 percent for 1st time in 8 years
-Syracuse has the highest rate of extreme poverty concentrated among blacks and Hispanics out of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas
-Half of the children in Syracuse live in poverty and the city continues to be among the poorest in the nation
Desired Items:
40 puzzles
40 jumbo kids playing card packs
40 pencil cases/box
80 coloring activity books
40 8 pack molding dough
120 pencils
80 erasers
40 packs of 8 crayons
40 hats
In addition to their gifts, if anyone knows of any snack or drink companies that would be willing to donate please let me know! All gifts will be wrapped and given to the kiddos before their holiday break! Thanks for your support and make sure you subscribe to the updates I will be posting over the next month!


With the holiday season approaching I have made it my mission to help 40 children in need by giving them the best damn holiday they have ever had! Read the story below to find out more about these kiddos and my journey:
In September my family and I packed up our things and moved in Syracuse, NY for my boyfriend's career. When we arrived in Syracuse we were blown away by the poverty in this city, in all of my life, I had never seen a city so desperate for help.
Shortly after arriving I took a job working as a teacher in the Syracuse City School district. Urban schools come with their own set of unique challenges, however, the reward is something I can't quite put into words.
I remember my first time driving to Delaware Primary School (900 S Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY) I was nervous to get out of my car and walk into the school. Delaware Primary is located in the most dangerous part of Syracuse with the highest poverty rate. Shootings, theft, and gang activity is a regular occurrence around the school.
"The neighborhood is one of the poorest, most crime-ridden in Upstate New York. Last spring, students dodged bullets on their way in. Drugs have been found on the new playground next door." -Syracuse.com
When I walked into Mr. Zollo's first grade class I immediately fell in love. I had no idea I was capable of caring and loving 25 kiddos that I had just met, but there I was! A majority of the students in this class have some sort of learning disability and almost every student comes from severe poverty.
At Delaware Primary and across the Syracuse City School District students are fed breakfast, lunch, and a snack before they leave. In most cases, this is the only food the child will eat all day.
Regularly the kiddos come to school complaining that their tummy hurts due to the fact that they most likely haven't eaten since they left. When Friday comes around teachers rush to pack student's bags full of any food that they can find to ensure the kids have something to get them through the few days they are away from school. Students come to school dirty, sick, and cold and unable to purchase warm clothing. The teachers here put their money together and buy warm jackets for any students who do not have them, as well as other supplies that the students may need.
Each time that I leave the kids, I worry about them. They are the sweetest group of students who are so appreciative of the attention and love they receive each day that I am with them.
With the holiday season approaching I have made it my mission to give these kids the best damn holiday they have ever had! There are 25 kiddos in my class but I'm planning on purchasing gifts for 40 (there are SO many students in need at this school, any additional money raised will be put towards purchasing more gifts)
Continue to check back for updates & pictures!
Here are some Syracuse City facts:
- Syracuse graduation rate reaches 55 percent for 1st time in 8 years
-Syracuse has the highest rate of extreme poverty concentrated among blacks and Hispanics out of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas
-Half of the children in Syracuse live in poverty and the city continues to be among the poorest in the nation
Desired Items:
40 puzzles
40 jumbo kids playing card packs
40 pencil cases/box
80 coloring activity books
40 8 pack molding dough
120 pencils
80 erasers
40 packs of 8 crayons
40 hats
In addition to their gifts, if anyone knows of any snack or drink companies that would be willing to donate please let me know! All gifts will be wrapped and given to the kiddos before their holiday break! Thanks for your support and make sure you subscribe to the updates I will be posting over the next month!
Organizer
Katelyn Martin
Organizer
Syracuse, NY
