Leesville Elementary School was the recipient this school year of a grant from the YMCA that provided after-school tutoring for a number of students who needed extra academic encouragement. These students have received special learning opportunities as well as an after-school snack and transportation home after the tutoring session is over. The goal has been to help these students reach their potential in the classroom.
In addition to the tutoring, the YMCA is going to provide these same students and their siblings with the opportunity to attend a seven-week YMCA camp this upcoming summer at a cost of $35 per student for the summer. The school put out a plea for help to raise this camp money and Church of the Nativity’s own Chatty Yarns Group heard about the request and responded. They donated $800, their proceeds from the “Day of Giving” event last December, to Leesville Elementary School for this camp. That donation provided 23 students with camp tuition.
When I delivered this generous check to the school principal, Mr. Cohen, he told me that because of the amount of the money Chatty Yarns donated, the school will now be able to send additional children to the camp. He described these children as NEVER having been to a camp and really having no idea what they have to look forward to. Each child will receive a morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and transportation to and from the camp. The day will be filled with planned productive activities that will enrich these children’s lives for 7 weeks. Parents will know that their children are safe and being well cared for. If not for the camp, many of these children would be hungry, unchaperoned, and left to their own devices for the day and summer.
Many churches were contacted seeking donations toward this effort, but at the time Nativity’s check was delivered, we were the only church to respond. In addition to Chatty Yarns’ generous check, the Outreach Committee contributed money from their budget, which is funded by your pledges. Please know that your financial contribution to Nativity is at work in these young people’s lives. Thank you for your generosity.
Written and submitted by Lillis Ward