Most of you wouldn't know, but I volunteer in my son's Kindergarten classroom for 2 hours every Monday morning and I am also the "Classroom Parent". A month or so ago a new boy came to the class that I immediately could feel that something was "off".
Every Monday morning, I make a point to make sure that I wash his face for him, try to comb his hair, etc. Yesterday morning while doing my weekly lessons with the class he came to my table and sat down. His finger nails were black with dirt; obviously they had not been trimmed for WEEKS, maybe months, and this morning his hair was so bad that I don't think he had been able to take a bath in at least a week. His name is Branden, he will be 6 next month.
While leaving the table to move on to the next lesson Branden's shoe fell off and I could immediately tell how embarrassed he was. Not because his shoe fell off, but because as I helped him to put it back on I noticed that he was wearing women's socks. They were so dirty, that whoever had put them on him that morning, had rolled them up at the toe, so that his little foot would at least be in a "clean" part of the sock. When I also noticed that his shoes were on the wrong feet, he said, "that's OK, please don't take my other shoe off." He is from a single parent family and I can tell that they care about him as he was dressed in several layers as it was very cold - but obviously they are just doing the best that they can.
I am the first to admit that I have done my share of "complaining" this year with how tough business and times have been (thank God for what we DO have). But I have taken it upon myself to do whatever I can as it breaks my heart into a million pieces to see this. I contacted the school Principle to see what the best way to deliver items would be as we believe that the family may even be living out of their car.
In the last 24 hours my family and friends have already collected over 3 bags of clothing, 2 bags of food, 1 bag of toiletries and almost $200 in gift cards to various local stores so they can buy items they need and/or want that we may have forgotten. The School, which is also doing a toy drive, actually added his name to their "Santa's list" where the needy children of this particular school will get to go into the room of donated toys (they've collected hundreds) and pick out any one that they want for Christmas.
This is my Christmas Me-Me: Thank you & God Bless, Connie
Thanks to Cathy Lee for tagging me for a Christmas MeMe: Now I Tag
Kimo Stowell, Michelle Minch & Fernando Rosado
*************************************UPDATE***************************************
I've been contacted by several generous souls on how one can "donate" to this young boy and his family. After meeting with the School today, what they REALLY need most is food. Gift certificates to stores in our immediate area are Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Big-Lots and Target. If you would like to mail gift cards or certificates, you can send them to:
Peach Hill Academy 13400 Christian Barrett Dr, Moorpark, CA 93021
Attention Mrs. Welch (Principle) or Mrs. De los Santos (V.P.)
Include a small note that your gift is to go to Connie Tebyani's "Adopted" Kid ;-) They'll know what you mean - please don't refer to him by name. THANK YOU, for all of your generosity!!!!
