D.A. Blodgett/St. John's Home, a nonprofit organization in our community for more than 124 years, provides comprehensive services to children and families. Programs include Big Brothers Big Sisters, foster care, adoption and family support, as well as residential treatment and emergency shelter care at St. John's Campus.
They focus on creating a community where all children are treasured and empower families by providing safety, advocacy and support. That is why they are asking for your help with their backpack and school supply drive.
More than 500 children currently living in residential care, foster homes and shelter care or whose families are in need of assistance will be given a new backpack with school supplies before the first day of school.
"The first year we held the drive, I was startled by the reaction of a little 7-year-old boy who came to the agency with his foster mom to pick up his backpack," remembers D.A. Blodgett/St. John's Home Major Gift Officer Linda Postma. "When I handed him his backpack, I noticed he had a strange look on his face so I asked him what was wrong. 'This is mine? You mean just for me? I don't have to share it with anyone?' I suddenly started to feel a little uncomfortable, not because of his questions, but because these three innocent questions had given me a small glimpse of what his life must have been like before he was placed into foster care.
"After I explained to him that yes, the backpack and supplies were his to keep and use in school, he walked over to a corner of the room and emptied the bag's contents onto the floor. I watched him as he ran his little hands over the items and then, one by one, picked them up and carefully studied them. I thought I heard him talking to himself, so I quietly moved closer to where he was sitting just in time to hear him say to one of the items he was holding, 'you are just mine, just for me.'
"He zipped the bag closed and stood up and when he turned around, standing in front of me was a little boy with the most priceless smile on his face. As he walked towards the door, he proudly held up his new bag for others to see and chimed, 'This is MY new school bag; it's JUST for me.' I smiled as he walked out of the room and felt a deep sense of joy knowing I had just been given an opportunity to play a very small part in giving this little boy an opportunity for a brighter future."
Want to be a do-gooder? Here's how to get involved…
• Drop off supplies at any Metro PCS location or call 616.451.2021 for a pick-up
Source: Linda Postma, DA Blodgett/St. John's Home
Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
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