“I don’t want much for Christmas. I just want the person reading this Post to be healthy, happy, and loved!”
WARNING!!! This report is lenthy and only Part 1 of two Parts needed to cover the full non-financial success experienced this year.
During 2018, “Friends of Copey” witnessed a major display of volunterism and in-kind support. Our non-financial support supplimented by the financial support resulted in 2018 being “best year” yet. Last week we documented the “Financial” side of our work. This week and next week, we will take a look at all accomplished by volunteers and in-kind support.
1. New School Update
We started 2018 somewhat disappointed because our “New Educational and Cultural Center” proposal was rejected late in 2017. Being a significantly large goal, we decided to place the effort on hold while the Copey community struggled with the loss their church by fire in August 2017. The Copey community’s first priority is to see the church rebuilt. However, “Friends” is still actively working on this project and we look forward to 2019 with optimism.
2. Surprise…Surprise!
The Meadow Elementary School in Lehi, Utah led by Principal Carolyn Johnson and assisted by Tamarie McMullin, Lisa Watters, and Debbi Christiansen, surprised everyone this year. In early 2018 “Friends” learned about the 400 pounds of school supplies collected to be donated to the Copey Learning Center. The collection effort involved school kids, parents, and school employees all working together. Then, this collection was personally delivered to the doorstep of the Copey Learning Center. UNBELIEVABLE!
This enormous act of kindness and generosity resulted multiple years of savings in classroom supply expenses. BUT, we should not overlook the additional expense for airline cost, hotel and food expenses, and the unselfish donation of personal time and
energy needed to make this all happen.
And, it should not be lost that this story of generosity extends beyond supplies. The “kids” have been impacted.
Students at Meadow Elementary School became aware and interested in students in Copey. This established a rare international student link. The Utah Team’s visit to Copey and the Learning Center, their time spent with staff, students, parents, and leaders is simply “priceless”. The sharing of information, skyping, and exchanging of pen pal letters can not be defined or measured in currency. The non-financial benefits are lasting.
3. The 2018 Pathway Project
Amazing Support! The “extra mile” became standard practice when the “2018 Pathway Project” followed the Utah Team. Matt and Kara, students from the Emory & Henry College journeyed to Copey to volunteer for five weeks. Upon their volunteer completion, they returned home to the USA with two Copey students and two chaperones.
The Copey students and chaperones were welcomed to the USA by my cousin, Zina. A retired educator and life-long resident of the DC area, Zina was the ideal “host greeter” providing our guests transportation to their
hotel, then to a restaurant for dinner, and returned to their hotel for a much needed rest.
Zina provided our guests a tour of our nation’s capital the following day and she treated the guests to a meal at a wonderful restaurant before completing her host service.
Monica, Emory & Henry College’s Alumni Director, drove nearly three hundred miles to DC to meet Zina and our guests and then transported our guests to campus. Zina and Monica working as a team, accomplished all this during first 48 hours our guests were in the USA.
During the first week, we witnessed this level of support many times. George Whitley opened his home and covered all costs for the 2nd annual “Friends” reception attended by “Friends”, some traveling from North Carolina.
Jane Rutledge and her family hosted a family picnic for our guests to enjoy. Ed Davis and his wife treated our guest to bowling. Robin Grossman and her family shared their wonderful home and comfortable accommodations for our guests to stay and enjoy during their first week on campus.
During the second week, the generosity and support continued. Tuition, dormitory rooms, and on-campus meals were provided to allow the guests to participate in the Young Scholars and Leadership course.
These noted “Friends” performed examples of the many ways kindness, consideration, concern, and support took place. There are many others such as Dr. Celeste Gaia, the college’s Director of International Education, who was key to establishing the “Pathway Project”. All these supporters have the “heart of servants” and voluntarily support each of the areas listed below with little or no fanfare.
The actual financial price tag was about $5,900.00 or $1,475.00 for each of the four guests. Each dollar donated was needed and critical to the success of this project.
But, the true price tag for the “Pathway Project” would be closer to $9,000 or more without the wide -range of in-kind support and voluntarily assistance provided.
4. More In-Kind Support To Be Continued
There is much more to share about the 2018 supportive volunteers. But, this will be continued in Part 2 of the Non-Financial Scorecard next week. This story is bigger than life and very important to share…and share well.
“Enjoy the Holidays…there is much joy to share!”
Scrapper this is fantastic. God is good all the time and you are one of his angels. Your vision, energy, and leadership to make this all happen is commended. The cooperation from friends and family have been outstanding and you have won your golden crown. God bless you for being a great humanitarian. I love you.
Aunt Christine
I believe in believing! Aside from the spiritual nature of this project, I believe most of us humans know in our hearts we can do something that can help another. And most of us will do something if we have the means and the opportunity. The success of “Fiends” is divine…and it is also “Friends” working together as “Friends.” Our name “Friends” fully describes the essence of all that is done. You are a wonderful aunt, a fantastic example of a “servant with a heart”, and a BELIEVER! Love You!