Christmas Kids Project for 2014

A few years ago, a fantasy football league buddy of mine named Randy Goetz (Lansing, KS) and my wife and I spread a little extra Christmas cheer to some children in need. We bought some coats, gloves, shoes, hats, and little things for about 10 children living in poverty that we were sure needed something to feel excited about. It was a great experience so we've kept it up over the past few years.

This year, I decided to kick it up a notch and sent out an email to about 12 of my friends here in York asking them to consider donating $10 or $20 to what we're calling the "Christmas Kids Project for 2014." Todd Kirshenbaum, our Chamber of Commerce Director, was on that email list and he encouraged me to allow him to forward the request on to the Chamber Ambassadors. We did.

I also sent the email to Randy Goetz and a few others down in the Lansing/Leavenworth, KS area. The email also went to a few school attorney friends we do business with.

As the mail began coming in today, we've already received $525! We have over $300 more that has been pledged! This is UNBELIEVABLE!

We're focusing on 16 students right now ranging from pre-school through 11th grade. We're going to be able to surprise them with the basics. Nothing fancy. These youngsters need clothes, food, etc. We're also going to do our best to get each of them at least one thing that is beyond the basics. Toys for the younger kids, maybe some iTunes cards or something for the older kids or a Subway card. You'd be amazed to know how many of these kids don't EVER get to eat out anywhere. What a BLESSING it is to be around such caring people. What a TREMENDOUS FEELING it is to know that so many adults truly care about our community's children.

I've been around lots of tough times in my life but my family always made Christmas special. It is a great honor to try and help make some others' Christmas a little bit brighter this year. I called one mama on the phone today (she has five of the kids we've targeted) to tell her what we were up to and she began to cry because she's so appreciative.

Yes, there is a lot of money in York. However, what many people don't yet understand is there also lots of poverty. Over 54% of our K-5 students qualify for free/reduced school meals today. Yes, over 54%.

We can't make it better for everyone but we can make a dent in it. We're going to make a difference for several kids this Christmas. Kids that are on the honor roll, kids that are respectful, kids that appreciate a new school folder or a pen that writes. Kids that don't take for granted a school meal because it's hot and they might not get another hot meal until school the next day.

As a superintendent (or stupid-intendent as I often refer to it), I don't get to do a lot of fun things with kids anymore. THIS project brings more joy to me than I can describe.

THANKS for all of the help and support. We have some amazing kids here in York, Nebraska!