2010 Paper for Schools - WINNERS!

Thanks everybody for being patient as we sifted through emails applying for our school paper donation. It went so well, that we are considering doing this nationally every year! 

We had a very tough time figuring out who we would send paper to - and the staff here at Memory Box went to great pains to try and decide which schools would get our paper donation. Of course, we wish we could send paper to everyone! Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a school - we had parents, aunts and uncles, teachers, grandparents, community members and principals apply.

We chose the following four schools to send paper to, and I am sharing an excerpt from the email that nominated them (listed in no particular order!):

from Shannon for the Little Wound School in South Dakota...

Every morning when these elementary students at Little Wound School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in western South Dakota wake up early to come to school, they take a stand for a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their community.  Art has an important role in that.  It connects them to their culture.  It gives them an opportunity to work through emotions associated with the challenging lives they lead.  It gives them hope and heart.  Art is an integral part of the curriculum in grades K-5 and also our after-school activities. As a school, we don’t have a lot of money for art supplies.  A big shipment of MemoryBox paper would go a long way in providing materials to nurture the creativity, heart, and hope of our wakanyeja—our children.  

from Sarah for Jefferson Whittier Elementary School in Pontiac, Michigan...

We are an inner city school of 700 K – 6 students. Our community suffers from what I last heard to be a 50% unemployment rate. Every child receives free lunch and breakfast. As teachers in a low income school we have to purchase a large amount of school supplies out of our own pockets. We even pick up shoes, coats, and other clothing for the students in need.  Sounds pretty bleak but we have an awesome group of kids who lack a lot in life but NOT TALENT. Paper for drawing, illustrating, painting, making books, making projects, the list could go on and on, would be so appreciated and valuable to us!!!

from Leann for the Augusta School in Augusta, Wisconsin...

When school resumed this past year mold was found in the Augusta school and students weren't able to attend classes in that building until it was all cleaned up. But all the hard working teachers who spend money out of their own pockets for supplies had ALL their things thrown away. 

and finally from Heather for La Mesa Elementary School in Monterey, California

As with all schools nationwide, La Mesa Elementary has seen a huge reduction in funding.  Several staff positions can no longer be afforded...art being one of them.  Our La Mesa PTA holds many fundraisers each year that help to pay for teachers that otherwise cannot be afforded.  Luckily, this year is no different!  Through our successful fundraisers we have been able to pay for a full time art teacher (as well as a science and music teacher).  However, other areas have had to suffer to provide the students with the teachers, and supplies are often short.  We make due with what we have (nature offers much inspiration as we live in a very temperate climate).  

A donation of your beautiful paper would be such a blessing to the already struggling art department.  Children from all over the world would benefit from such a generous donation.  It is truly difficult being a military family as we are so often on the move and friends are inevitably left behind.  I for one have an aspiring artist who always finds comfort in creating something beautiful and would benefit greatly from the donation.  I am sure that the many children that have made La Mesa a home for one to two years would equally appreciate the donation.  

We feel fortunate to connect with these schools - and were inspired to read of all the things that so many people are doing all over America to improve their local schools. Hopefully our donation will make a small difference for some of the students and teachers out there. 

I still remember art class in 4th grade at Pfeiffer Elementary in Littleton, Colorado and the substitute art teacher who showed me how to color in a picture of a lion. Art can make such a difference in people lives!

Thanks to everyone who entered -and thank you to everyone who continues to support Memory Box.

Comments

[jen shears]

congrats to the very well deserving schools- great choices memory box!

[Patter Cross]

Huge congrats to the winning schools! And thanks to Memory Box for such a wonderful idea to help schools around the country!

[Vicki Granger]

So glad that a school in Pontiac, MI got a donation - very economically depressed area. Students from my school worked at a Habitat Home in Pontiac a few weeks ago. You guys did a wonderful job of selecting places where the kids will be inspired.