The Students of the Platte City Schools are making a difference! Thank you!!
2012 Testimonial
Day of Hope also a Day of Inspiration!
Recently, Rachel Gabriel-Nelson, PCHS Social Worker, took time to reflect on our school’s participation in the Platte County Health Department’s Day of Hope Event held in early December.
Being a part o f the Day of Hope was not only a “day of hope” for the children and families in our school district, but also for the school social workers who put heart and soul into their work. Witnessing people give anonymously to others who have less than themselves, gave me hope in the world. It energized and inspired me again.
Seeing the faces of the children and their parents when they accepted these gifts was...I can’t put it into words for you...it filled me up. It helped them to feel “someone else who doesn’t even know me thinks I am worth it.” They were worth it.
Seeing Freshman Seminars compete to see who could bring in the most canned food and warm clothing was amazing. Mr. Carlson didn’t just ask for regular canned food, but consulted me, and was able to ask for Meal-in a-Can type meals—a better bang for the buck.
As always, watching the cheerleaders and Mrs. Martin collect coats and warm clothing for Keep PC Cozy, then work hard to divide it all up, take the coats to the dry cleaner, take the smaller clothes to Rising Star, Siegrist, Paxton, and PCMS reminded me how PCHS loves to share. They even gave adult clothing to Hillcrest Ministries. FCCLA, Interact, and SADD all collected food for Holiday Meal Boxes as well.
STUCO both adopted families AND volunteered to set up for the event after school on their own time. Interact Club also helped set up the church.
On Saturday, December 8th, the actual Day of Hope, I was so proud to be a staff member of Platte County R-3 School District, for our students and all they had given for their classmates that do not have what they may have. My volunteer shift was from 8 –11 am, but I stayed until well past 2 pm because there was magic in the air.
We worked hard to make sure our families were able to take advantage of this wonderful resource. Many of our district’s students and families were in attendance. I was at the haircut station, NOT giving haircuts! The children and families started there for a haircut, next to the family pictures. Don’t forget that many of these families are unable to go to a photographer for family portraits. Walgreen’s printed the photos out there that day so families could take them home.
Later they went to the children’s playroom where there was fingernail painting, clowns, games, and a bounce house outside. Next, they were able to pick a winter coat, gloves, hat and a blanket (handmade by church women). Then it was on to a dental screening . The first 150 people registered received new shoes, and after that a physical exam. Homemade cross necklaces from another church were also given away along with holiday meal boxes, groceries, and gifts for the children. It all finished up with lunch—hot dogs!
Thank you to the Platte County Health Department and to the Platte County Ministerial Alliance. Thank you to all of the donors and volunteers! This event DID make a difference!
Heather Schuller, Pathfinder and Rising Star social worker, summed up the day quite well: “The Day of Hope was a great experience for both families and communities alike. Everyone was full of cheer, thanks and most importantly, love for one another.”
Day of Hope also a Day of Inspiration!
Recently, Rachel Gabriel-Nelson, PCHS Social Worker, took time to reflect on our school’s participation in the Platte County Health Department’s Day of Hope Event held in early December.
Being a part o f the Day of Hope was not only a “day of hope” for the children and families in our school district, but also for the school social workers who put heart and soul into their work. Witnessing people give anonymously to others who have less than themselves, gave me hope in the world. It energized and inspired me again.
Seeing the faces of the children and their parents when they accepted these gifts was...I can’t put it into words for you...it filled me up. It helped them to feel “someone else who doesn’t even know me thinks I am worth it.” They were worth it.
Seeing Freshman Seminars compete to see who could bring in the most canned food and warm clothing was amazing. Mr. Carlson didn’t just ask for regular canned food, but consulted me, and was able to ask for Meal-in a-Can type meals—a better bang for the buck.
As always, watching the cheerleaders and Mrs. Martin collect coats and warm clothing for Keep PC Cozy, then work hard to divide it all up, take the coats to the dry cleaner, take the smaller clothes to Rising Star, Siegrist, Paxton, and PCMS reminded me how PCHS loves to share. They even gave adult clothing to Hillcrest Ministries. FCCLA, Interact, and SADD all collected food for Holiday Meal Boxes as well.
STUCO both adopted families AND volunteered to set up for the event after school on their own time. Interact Club also helped set up the church.
On Saturday, December 8th, the actual Day of Hope, I was so proud to be a staff member of Platte County R-3 School District, for our students and all they had given for their classmates that do not have what they may have. My volunteer shift was from 8 –11 am, but I stayed until well past 2 pm because there was magic in the air.
We worked hard to make sure our families were able to take advantage of this wonderful resource. Many of our district’s students and families were in attendance. I was at the haircut station, NOT giving haircuts! The children and families started there for a haircut, next to the family pictures. Don’t forget that many of these families are unable to go to a photographer for family portraits. Walgreen’s printed the photos out there that day so families could take them home.
Later they went to the children’s playroom where there was fingernail painting, clowns, games, and a bounce house outside. Next, they were able to pick a winter coat, gloves, hat and a blanket (handmade by church women). Then it was on to a dental screening . The first 150 people registered received new shoes, and after that a physical exam. Homemade cross necklaces from another church were also given away along with holiday meal boxes, groceries, and gifts for the children. It all finished up with lunch—hot dogs!
Thank you to the Platte County Health Department and to the Platte County Ministerial Alliance. Thank you to all of the donors and volunteers! This event DID make a difference!
Heather Schuller, Pathfinder and Rising Star social worker, summed up the day quite well: “The Day of Hope was a great experience for both families and communities alike. Everyone was full of cheer, thanks and most importantly, love for one another.”