One local Renton teen finds true value in giving to others

When Giving Means Receiving So Much More

It has been several years since a visit to our church, United Christian Church-Renton by three employees representing the non-profit organization, Communities in Schools (Renton,) opened my eyes and changed the perspective of what community needs meant to my family. Prior to this visit, volunteer work was something we often attempted to partake in, but seemed to find ourselves looking outside our community to see where the need was. However, one Sunday morning we learned a good start meant directing our eyes towards many neighbors and students at a local elementary school located just up the road. What our eyes saw as we rode by many mornings represented different scenarios never thought about previously-until we became educated. Some of the young children seen on chilly, windy mornings in short sleeves, sometimes meant they didn’t have coats to wear. Others chasing friends around rapidly before school started and giggling, would lose focus by mid-morning due to hunger pains distracting them. Friday afternoons as the bell rang and school let out, many children happily ran in to the outstretched arms of their parents. However, others knew this final bell meant they wouldn’t have enough food to eat the next couple of days if not for the generosity of snacks (granola bars, packaged juices,) made available to their families to carry them through the weekend. We had so much work to do, so much to learn, and even more to give.

Through the years we have successfully completed projects including the collection of: holiday gifts for families in need, food, socks and gloves, personal hygiene items and more. This year we wanted to attempt a personal challenge of acquiring the most items ever collected within our family for an organization. Little did I know this summer goal along with my 15-year old daughter, Paris’ additional motivation would turn in to a challenging, fun-filled activity that would prove to be more educational and rewarding than ever imagined.

My teenager immediately jumped in to entrepreneurial mode. I forgot her young age, as I watched a young woman filled with compassion merge forward with such strength and determination. She wanted to see how far we could take this project (which amounted to approx. 2 months of collection time.) An initial idea to jumpstart things was to place collection boxes at a couple of local businesses. I was curious to see who would respond when we did a “shout out” for support. Businesses including Phoenix Montessori, and Nhu Cuts allowed us to place brightly spray painted yellow boxes in their establishments. My daughter emphasized these boxes would attract attention. Items needed were written on the outside of each box in black Sharpie. When these boxes had enough items, we would retrieve the items allowing them to be refilled. Our collection time was pushed as near to the mid-August deadline as possible. Phone calls were made to friends, emails were sent out to those on our contacts list, and funds collected from friends that were willing to help supply needed items were utilized to meet personal goals. Paris scoured newspapers, online websites, listened for radio advertisements and watched television commercials promoting school sales intently, all with the sole purpose of seeing who offered the best deals. It was then that we learned some of the best school deals came during the earlier parts of the summer.

Project “Kick Off” became a tremendous success. Many days were filled with trips to as many as three stores (spending over an hour in each) in search of the best priced items. Often these visits produced tremendous results as we left with hundreds of items when we successfully captured: rulers costing .25 cents, dual pocket folders for .17 cents, crayons .47 cents and more. The beaming smile upon my daughter’s face demonstrating the joy felt at assisting in acquiring items to ensure other students had a great start to their school year said it all. The numerous time spent collecting items was all worth it. On the final day of boxing items, we loaded our SUV proudly filling it to the rim. Arriving at the Communities in Schools headquarters and greeted by a couple of employees, we could see the amazement upon their faces as they viewed the load we proudly delivered.

The true reward came in the pride felt in handing these items over. Reviewing all the effort set in to place to make this project a success felt wonderful. It was rewarding to support my daughter, yet step back and allow her creative juices to flow. In the end I saw she had received the message we hoped she would grasp from early childhood. The importance of having compassion, giving, and supporting others. In doing so, the real lesson is received. By performing deeds and sharing with others sans expectations in return, one receives and experiences their true blessings in life.