Where The Journey Continues

 We welcome the month of August as Choose To Care(CTC) continues its monthly journeys of searching for public school that are in need of resources for the teachers' classrooms.  We hopped off at Brunson Math & Science School, in Chicago, Illinois.  Mrs. Williams, the kindhearted teacher submitted a request for comfortable play shoes for her kindergarten and first grade students, whom she said, pleaded for shoes that fit, so they won't have to worry about their little toes being pinched.

CTC is on a mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes that fit, to the child in need and we are honored to sponsor Mrs. Williams classroom.  We continue to work with Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the classroom funding site for teachers across the nation, because they understand how important it is for all children to have the resources they need to develop their skills and learning experiences.

Our gratitude to the dedicated teacher!  And to CTC supporters, thanks for believing in us!

With Profound Adoration!

"Grant me courage to serve others; for in service there is true life" - Cesar Chavez

STILL HAVE A DISTANCE TO TRAVEL

 Since 2008 Choose To Care(CTC) has been fulfilling its mission by providing a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need, globally.  The nonprofit has also provided shoes for public schools through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), a teacher founded nonprofit that accepts classroom requests for project funding from teachers across the country.

Since the pandemic, CTC has stepped up its goal to sponsor a public school each month and has been able to do so.  Of course there is no magic wand to make the decision of which requests will be next, especially when the need is so great; but some thought is put into which project gets picked, most of the times cost is a factor.

This time "Soles for Souls" caught my eyes. The gym teacher, Coach Craven at Dooley Elementary School, Plano, submitted a project for her grades 3-5 students.  She too had the desire and dream to start a nonprofit organization to provide shoes for the students in need, so they can live a healthy and active lifestyle.

This is CTC's choice for the month of July.  We applaud you for your commitment to the children you serve.  We will keep taking steps to reach a world where each child has the resources they need to succeed.  Of course we are not there yet!  

John Quincy Adams said:

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader"

Peace & Love!

Sunny Side Up

 For the month of June, Choose To Care (CTC) is shining the light on Mr. Padgett's project from the Jim Hill High School,Jackson, Mississippi. This caring teacher wrote to Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the nonprofit organization created to support teachers and students projects across the country.

We are forever in awe of the length the teachers will go ensure that their students have the resources they need to help them thrive.  We do have a renewed reverence for all teachers, watching them defy what seemed like the impossible, to continue teaching during the pandemic.

At CTC we will continue to engage in showing kindness to these children in need, so that they can feel a sense of value and belonging and not be ashamed because of their circumstances.  Creating change is the aim of the CTC organization.  Pablo Picasso wrote: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away"

We are patiently trying to provide the children with the tools they need to be successful in school and we know for sure that even a small gesture can transform them in what seems like a magical manner. Our message to the children is to work hard and don't give up on hope.  It is our responsibility to help the youth have lives of growth and fulfillment. We are honored to sponsor this classroom project, which the teacher dubbed "It's Gotta Be The Shoes, Part 2" A line he said he borrowed from the Air Jordan commercial featuring  Spike Lee. We are happy that these practice shoes will give your team a uniform look as you wanted.

Friends, please choose to be an ally to these champion teachers when you get the chance!

Yours In Inspiration!

Heart & Sole

 "Set  wide the window. Let me drink the day" Edith Wharton

Today is the beginning of the beautiful month of May.  it is time for Choose To Care(CTC) to make good on its promise to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the child in need.  We adore the work of Donors Choose, the organization that was created to help teachers in public schools nationwide, receive resources for their students in need; who are often times living in impoverished circumstances.

We have traveled to Desert Hills Elementary School, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Mrs. Reyes, made a good argument for her students and funding of her project.  She requested dancing shoes for them, saying that dancing increases their flexibility, improves their balance and muscle strength and in addition promotes social and emotional skills.  We do agree with this caring teacher and have granted her wish to provide brand new pairs of dancing shoes for her students.

Since we were already on the road, why not make another stop!  This time we stopped by Rudolph Blankenburg Elementary School, In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; where the teacher, Mrs. Gardner, asked for and received new school shoes for her eager to learn students, so they can start the year off right. She described the school as a place where her students thrive and feel secured; but many wear shoes until they have holes. She thinks they deserve a pair of shoes that fit and so do we.She sang praises for her fellow teachers who do so much with so little, wanting their students to succeed.

We are on a mission to assist students in need to have resources that will help them to be the best they can be, giving them a chance to experience a brighter future.

"The capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest meaning and significance" Pablo Casas

Enjoy the fabulous month and all its wonders! 

Peace & Love

OUR SPRING STORY

 It's the month of April and Choose To Care(CTC) is getting ready to honor its commitment of sponsoring a public school teacher's classroom project each month, through Donors Choose(donors choose.org), the organization that supports teachers, nationwide.

We have chosen Ms. Smith's Grades PreK-2 from the Brandenburg Primary School, Brandenburg, Kentucky.  She requested SHOES FOR SCHOOL for her students.  According to this teacher, she wanted to lift the self-esteem of her students, many of whom study Braille; and they arrive to school in worn out and ill-fitting shoes, that leave them feeling shameful.  Because of this, they find it difficult to concentrate in class.

We have used the CTC's platform to promote a healthy lifestyle and keeping mother earth green.  So along with outfitting the students with a brand new pair of shoes, CTC has sent the messages of: Doing Right by the Environment; Keeping Fit and Healthy, and discovering along the way, why MY PLATE Matters(choosemyplate.gov)(outright.org) These will make lively discussions for teacher and her students.

Special thanks to our awesome contributors who have sprung into action. There are many stories like this one, that open your heart and propel you to give a lending hand.

"The capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest meaning and significance" Pablo Casals

CTC, doing our part to bridge the gap!

With Gratitude!

SO MUCH BETTER WORKING TOGETHER

 The title said: Happy Feeet Make Tennis Sweet.  This came from Coach Parks, at  the Hardee Senior High School, Wauchula, Florida and she was requesting resources for her grades 9 to 12 students.  According to Coach Parks, nearly all students are from low-income households, living in a rural community.

She wants them to shine not only in the classroom but also on the tennis court.  They have been cooped up for so many months and are ready to join in fun activities.  Most cannot afford the tennis shoes that they need to help them move with confidence, keep their feet protected, while they sharpen their skills and minds.

Choose To Care (CTC) is ready to put a little more care in the world and we know that our support will make a world of difference to these children. CTC(choosetocaresite.org) is proud to continue its mission to provide a brand new pair of shoes for the children in need. 

We applaud Donors Choose(donors choose.org) for going the extra mile of providing a platform for the devoted public school teachers nationwide, that allows them to request help for their students.

Doing our part to bridge the gap!

To all supporters, remember to do your part to keep the earth green!

Cheers to National Nutrtion month - 3/2021

 The theme for 2021 is  PERSONALIZE YOUR PLATE.

Visit: Eatright.org for your nutrition and health information.

Yours In Service!

A GRATEFUL DEBTOR

 Donors Choose(donorschooese.org) has supported students and teachers since 2000 and is making sure  that public schools nationwide are noticed.  They have asked us to answer a teacher's request for resources for her classroom.

A new year! And Choose To Care's (CTC) commitment of the past year to sponsor a school each month still stands.  We are inspired by Ms. Doede request for her grade 9-12 students at Trillium Academy, Taylor, Michigan and CTC's sponsorship carries out its mission to give each child a brand new pair of shoes.

This donation was given in honor of one of our ardent contributor to CTC, YV, who has joined us to bring goodwill to others.

We are also on the move to bring others on board to care for mother earth.  Each of us can find a way to contribute to the Going Green Movement.

Each school that we sponsor is given the message of keeping healthy and strong. Visit: eatright.org for tips on how to nourish our bodies.

"A drop of kindness makes the spirits soar. Do what you can."psw

A salute to Black History Month!