Helping Haiti!

I feel better about helping an organization when I know what is going on and how it is going to help instead of giving large, almost corporate like, organizations just cold hard cash to spend however they see fit. Not that they don't help, don't get me wrong. I still donate blood to the Red Cross every time I'm eligible. Maybe its the personal satisfaction I get knowing that I've made a difference. But when you get a progress report like this... It definitely feels better than giving to a black hole.

A final look at some numbers from our 2010 Kids Against Hunger event:

• 1 grant from St. Paul Public Schools Service Learning Department

• 700+ students motivated to make the world a better place

• 70 flexible, supportive staff (including administrators, teachers, interns, office staff, custodians and cafeteria workers)

• 118+ parents and grandparents who helped with the food-packing events

• 24 enthusiastic Open School students, who helped with our hunger banquets, and organized and ran our packing event

• 15 "lead volunteers" (parents & staff) who worked all day Friday and/or spent hours beforehand translating documents, planning the schedule, counting funds, buying supplies, setting up the gym, organizing volunteers, planning the assembly, donating food for volunteers and more.

• 3 heartfelt student speeches at the assembly

• 1 surprise visit by the Leo el León, the energetic Adams mascot

• $8668 raised

• 59, 832 meals packed!

• 1 amazing community service project!