Mr. A's 2nd Grade Kids Helping Kids
Donation protected
Hello Everyone!
My name is Mike Azzalina and I am a second grade teacher in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My request is not for me...at least directly. It is for my students, and their kind hearts. Let me explain further...
My students and I read a story earlier this year, entitled Jamaica Louise James. In the story, the main character, Jamaica, helps her community by brightening up the dull walls of the local subway station where her grandmother works. She listens to her grandmother's stories and paints pictures based on the people in the stories.
Following the story, I showed a video to my students. It was a true story about a young boy who discovered a friend that did not have lunch money. Distraught by this, the boy raised money in order to make sure no student in Ohio had the issue.
Upon seeing this video, my students immediately wanted to do something similar. As any teacher in my position would do, I challenged them and they decided they wanted to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Every penny we raise along the way will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital to further cancer research.
The students and I sat down one day and put together their mission statement:
"After reading Jamaica Louise James and seeing the story of Cayden, we wanted to make a difference. Mr. A. told us that we could help in so many different ways. After writing essays and voting, we decided we wanted to raise money for kids with cancer. When Mr. A. told us about how children our age suffer from cancer, we knew this was what we wanted to raise money for.
The money you help us raise can be used to change so many children's lives. It can be used to continue the research for a cure. We realize how far even a dollar can go in saving a child's life. The money we raise will go directly to cancer research, so doctors can find more ways to save lives.
Our goal is to raise $2,000! We are going to use money we earn from an online fundraiser and other ideas we have planned as a class. We have written letters to businesses explaining our plan, and have a few more ideas to help raise the money!
All of the money we raise is going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital because they do not turn anyone away. We are hoping to help pay for even one kid's treatments. Please help us on our journey to changing the world and beating a terrible disease!"
I can't begin to describe to you how much this means to my students. They have been talking about it nonstop for months. As we finally begin the journey, each morning starts with the question, "Are we going to plan for our project today, Mr. A.?"
As a teacher, I dream for these opportunities. The chance for students to take something they learn and put it into action. I will be forever thankful to all of you who take a moment to help 24 second graders make a difference in a tough world. Your generosity is going to encourage them to continue showing kindness toward others for the remainder of their lives and that is the best lesson they can ever learn.
I will be keeping this site running until May 20th. At that point, we are going to be taking all of the money we raised and giving it to St. Jude's.
My name is Mike Azzalina and I am a second grade teacher in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My request is not for me...at least directly. It is for my students, and their kind hearts. Let me explain further...
My students and I read a story earlier this year, entitled Jamaica Louise James. In the story, the main character, Jamaica, helps her community by brightening up the dull walls of the local subway station where her grandmother works. She listens to her grandmother's stories and paints pictures based on the people in the stories.
Following the story, I showed a video to my students. It was a true story about a young boy who discovered a friend that did not have lunch money. Distraught by this, the boy raised money in order to make sure no student in Ohio had the issue.
Upon seeing this video, my students immediately wanted to do something similar. As any teacher in my position would do, I challenged them and they decided they wanted to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Every penny we raise along the way will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital to further cancer research.
The students and I sat down one day and put together their mission statement:
"After reading Jamaica Louise James and seeing the story of Cayden, we wanted to make a difference. Mr. A. told us that we could help in so many different ways. After writing essays and voting, we decided we wanted to raise money for kids with cancer. When Mr. A. told us about how children our age suffer from cancer, we knew this was what we wanted to raise money for.
The money you help us raise can be used to change so many children's lives. It can be used to continue the research for a cure. We realize how far even a dollar can go in saving a child's life. The money we raise will go directly to cancer research, so doctors can find more ways to save lives.
Our goal is to raise $2,000! We are going to use money we earn from an online fundraiser and other ideas we have planned as a class. We have written letters to businesses explaining our plan, and have a few more ideas to help raise the money!
All of the money we raise is going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital because they do not turn anyone away. We are hoping to help pay for even one kid's treatments. Please help us on our journey to changing the world and beating a terrible disease!"
I can't begin to describe to you how much this means to my students. They have been talking about it nonstop for months. As we finally begin the journey, each morning starts with the question, "Are we going to plan for our project today, Mr. A.?"
As a teacher, I dream for these opportunities. The chance for students to take something they learn and put it into action. I will be forever thankful to all of you who take a moment to help 24 second graders make a difference in a tough world. Your generosity is going to encourage them to continue showing kindness toward others for the remainder of their lives and that is the best lesson they can ever learn.
I will be keeping this site running until May 20th. At that point, we are going to be taking all of the money we raised and giving it to St. Jude's.
Organizer
Mike Thomas
Organizer
Lancaster, PA
