Operation Gratitude

We participated in Operation Gratitude the week of November 3-7 with Pacific Palisades Pediatric Dentistry.  Our club collected over 300 lbs of halloween candy, which Pacific Palisades Pediatric Dentistry gave us $1 for each pound collected.  Candy was shipped to troops overseas to show we all care about them and appreciate all their efforts and sacrifices.  Thanks to all the students who brought their left over Halloween candy!  We raffled off Starbuck's and iTunes gift cards, which were donated by a very generous parent, a kind and committed student and an awesome teacher.  Thanks Rachel, Maya and Ms. Asahina!!!

Club Raises Money and Walks in AIDS Walk LA 2014

Great weather, surrounded by amazing people, exercising for a great cause.  What a great way to spend a beautiful October afternoon.  Some club members and parents walked in this year's AIDS Walk. This is the second year in a row we've participated.  This year we raised $1,290.  Go team!  It was a great event, as usual, and we look forward to keeping the new tradition going next year. 

Diane is showing off one of the 100 red ribbons Mel and her mom Lillian made the night before to hand out to people at the walk. 

3 of several club all-stars getting ready.  

Ms. Koboashi and Mr. Valerio, club advisors, representing!

Clothing drive for S.P.Y.

The club is collecting items for Safe Place for Youth (S.P.Y.).  Donations can be dropped of  to Mr. Valerio in the Counseling Office.  Click clink for more info on S.P.Y.  So excited to be able help this amazing organization.  safeplaceforyouth.org.

Happy International Peace Day!

All last week, our amazing members sold Peace Grams during lunch.  Students purchased Peace Grams for friends and wrote messages of peace on them.  On Monday, we delivered all the Peace Grams (which were in the shape of dove) that included a couple of pieces of chocolate to Homerooms.  It was successful event and hope that, if at least for one day, students contemplated how good if feels to send peace.  Peace out!

Intro

After a successful inaugural year, where Paul Revere Community Service Club members walked in and raised $1,470 for AIDS Walk LA, raised money for the Red Cross for disaster relief in the Philippines, created a mock foundation and raised $2,500 for a grant to award a local non-profit and created some smaller projects, 2014-2015 is off to a quick start.  

Wednesday, September 10 was our first meeting.  We scheduled our meeting in the usual classroom, H2.  Shortly after the room started filling up, Robert, one of our Representatives who was helping people sign in, noticed that the line of students waiting to sign in was around the corner.  We thought quickly on our feet and decided to move into the auditorium, which was just across the hallway.  I welcomed everyone, quickly went over the agenda for the day and before I knew it I was thanking everyone for coming and the meeting was adjourned.  After I got back to the office I was eager to count the names on the sign-in sheet.  I knew it was going to be a big number, but after counting 50 then 60 then 70 and finally ending at 79 I began to panic.  I thought to myself, “How are we going to manage all these students?!”  My panic quickly turned to excitement when I thought of all the possibilities with such a large group of compassionate and dedicated young people. 

This year we have our own homeroom, but it was only open to some 7^th graders and a few 8^th graders.  The number is small so our first two classes saw us getting to work right away by preparing for our first event.  We created a plan and started cutting out doves to sell Peace Grams all next week in celebration for International Peace Day, which is September 21.  Students will buy Peace Grams for $1 and write a message of Peace to friend.  Peace Grams will be delivered Monday, September 22 during homeroom. 

AIDS Walk sign-ups also started this week and as of Friday, September 12, 9 students have signed up to walk this year.  If we get 30 people to sign up we’ll get our own pre-walk table/meeting place on the morning of the walk.  In a couple of weeks, we’ll also be starting a clothing drive for a local non-profit called SPY that works with homeless youth.  SPY was one of the non-profits that applied for our grant last year. 

I’m thankful for all the students and staff who are dedicated by giving their time and energy to make the world a better place and I look forward to a great year!

Hello

Hello blog world.  This is my very first post ever.  I created this blog to document and share with,,,everyone?,,,all the great work students in Paul Revere Middle School's Community Service Club in Los Angeles are doing.  Updates to come soon.