A Community in Unity

This morning I had the honor of being part of something really special. I ran in the Rotary 5k. What was so great was all the people wearing yellow Livin Strong for Gregg t-shirts. We ended up selling over 300 t-shirts that the Metzger family will be seeing around town for quite some time. His wife Nikki & their families are so incredibly kind and I know they appreciated all the support our community showed them today. It was just so wonderful.

Shelbi's Sweets & Treats truck was there too. I'm going to spend more time helping this great cause as well.

This week we had two residents from Echoing Ridge come in again to the elementary. They have cerebral palsy & it was so neat to watch the kids become comfortable talking to them.

My PTO days are winding down. A new president has been elected & our kids are moving on. I am leaving it in more than capable hands. We have been able to give the Northwest kids some really fun events.

Jacob's Gift will be in a transition mode for awhile. A certain resident of Clinton has made my life pretty miserable since January. His paranoia that our charity somehow is using taxpayer dollars has created a situation where I must move our charity from the schools. I'm working on setting up a 501(c)3 but it will take time & money. I will get to it when I can & recreate my charity as well as the goals of it. We will still benefit kids mostly. They are what's important.

In our two years in existence, we have been able to donate $20,000 back to this community. We are currently helping get 200 computers donated to Northwest. 200 much needed computers!

I am beyond disappointed that this recent levy failed. For the life of me, I cannot understand any parent in our district that would vote no. I will be challenging these people as I know names & overhear conversations that leave me so angry. I have spent countless hours away from my family on levy committees, with our charity, PTO, etc. trying to make this community come together and be better. I see what goes on inside the schools and I can't believe any parent would not want to support that. We kind of knew a few years ago when a renewal levy failed that there may be a lack of community support for the schools. Unfortunately, we were correct. Times are tough, I know. They are also tough for the school. No new money since '92. I took my children to the rally on Monday. My son, Luke said after it failed "Mom, we did all that for nothing?" Well, no we showed our support. We tried. I watched our bus driver pull up with tears in her eyes & I could tell she had been crying alot. She lost her job. Just makes me so sad.

I'll continue to do what I can to volunteer, promote volunteering and helping others. I hope I have inspired some to do the same. :-)

Until next time.

Joanna