#TheALEXProject 2018-19

      Hi friends! This will be the 3rd year of #TheALEXPROJECT impacting lives at Donahoe Elementary School, a Title I school in eastern Henrico County. (And,  we’re now a NON-PROFIT 501 (c)3 organization so your donations will be tax-deductible!) 


     ALEX is an acronym that stands for Actively Loving and Encouraging Xcellence.  We match an adult mentor/volunteer with EACH K-5 classroom for the entire school year. That adult spends at least 1 hour per week in that classroom mentoring the students, building relationships, acting as a resource for the teacher and encouraging each student to always do his/her best. 

     #TheALEXProject is named after Alex Moore who lived his life with the goal of making a difference in the lives of others each day of his life. Alex was a 2009 of Hanover High School and a 2013 Business graduate of James Madison University. After pursuing a career in business after graduation, Alex felt that he’d like to serve his community and decided to become a Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputy. Just 11 days prior to graduating from the police academy (at the very top of his class), Alex was tragically killed in an automobile accident. 


     While Alex was not able to physically continue making a difference here on earth, #TheALEXProject has been successful and effective in the lives of the Donahoe community because of Alex’s influence and, I believe, his His legacy lives on. His impact and caring nature live on through the selfless, loving volunteers who sit on the floor and in tiny chairs working with small children on simple tasks. His faith and care live on through wonderful people like YOU who take the time and energy to donate funds and supplies to our neighbors just a few miles away who face challenges and obstacles most of us cannot fathom. 

     These professionals who teach the children at Donahoe are my personal heroes. I don’t say that lightly. These incredible humans not only teach to all the standards set forth by the state education department, they also are meeting so many other needs: social, emotional, physical and nutritional. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking. 


     The students; They’re smart. They’re creative and inquisitive. They have big dreams. They love like crazy. They just haven’t had the same opportunities some of our children have had in many cases. We’re there to love them and encourage them and to KEEP COMING BACK! 

     The needs at Donahoe are many. Around 75% of the population is on free/reduced lunch and over half receive a hot breakfast at no charge. Healthy snacks (any snacks, really) are always in high demand. Many students have inadequate school supplies. Playground equipment (balls, jump ropes, etc.) is badly needed in each classroom for recess. Instructional supplements, updated readers, math/science manipulatives are always wanted and needed by these teachers to make the learning experience more interesting and exciting for these students. As you know, funds are always an issue. It’s always nice when #TheALEXProject can step in and say “hey, let us help with that.”


     So, THANK YOU for being part of the SOLUTION! We ALEXes adore our friends at Donahoe and want to do all we can to improve their educational (and teaching) experience. After all, we are all in this together, aren’t we?! 

Best to you all!

Kelly Chenault