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Robert L. Grimes Elementary
Our featured organization this month is public school, Robert L. Grimes Elementary, located in the heart of Chicago. About 400 students attend the school, which is actually two sister schools in one (K-4 and 5-8). Theresa Fabian is treasurer of their Parent/Teacher group and enjoys helping out with fundraising activities as well as yearbook and other projects. Her dedication is evidenced by the fact that you can find her at the school – not "just" once or twice a week, but every day. Theresa, like many volunteers we talk with, thinks nothing of her unselfish efforts and simply "likes working with the kids." This active mother of two sons is living proof of Norman Vincent Peale’s wisdom: "The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have." In addition to three years of daily volunteer efforts, Theresa has energy left for a "regular" job at the local Osco drugstore.
For Valentine’s Day fun, the parent group is planning their second chocolate rose sale as well as a school dance for students. The students really like purchasing the popular edible rose-shaped candy for their special friends and families. In addition to chocolate roses, the parent group sponsors an annual cookie dough sale, which Theresa reports "goes off really good" as well as lollipop sales and Pennies to Dollars scratch cards.
With a majority of students coming from middle to low-income families, fundraising is not just for extras. Most of the money earned is used to provide uniforms for school athletic programs, which include cheerleading, volleyball and basketball. When asked why she likes FundRaising.Com, Theresa replies that "she likes the way we do everything – it’s on time and so easy."
We would like to help make the Valentine’s Day celebration at Robert L. Grimes Elementary extra special this year by sending them a free case of our "Happy Hearts" gourmet lollipops. We congratulate Theresa and the parent group for their much-needed efforts. With 22% of families coming and going each year (Chicago Department of Research and Evaluation), parent support is "not as good" as it could be, according to Theresa. This hasn’t stopped the four Parent/Teacher officers and a handful of volunteers to continue their fundraising and volunteer efforts. The group is making a big difference in the lives of the students they care so much about and we congratulate them for their inspiring example.
"Joy increases as you give it and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself.
In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible."
(More insight from Norman Vincent Peale)
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