Destinee's Gift

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Our Story

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Our 5 year old daughter, Destinee is full of questions and curiosity ;) She is a kindergartner and her little 5 year old mind amazes me each and every day. On the way to school one morning, we both were thinking about our day, things to do, being a good listener, etc. well except for the fantasy football radio chatter in the backround. Destinee asked me, “Momma, what are the children going to do without books? Will they have to hang them outside to dry them out? How will they get to the library to read with all that water? After school we need to go through my bookcase and pick out books, box them up, and get them right out to Houston!” We had been watching the news for the past several days about the hurricanes hitting our country and the destruction is was causing. My initial thought was I am so proud that she is thinking about other kids. That she is thinking about what she would do if her books were in a flood? How she would miss her books. How she wanted to give something that is important to her to help others in need. My heart melted.......I told her that I would do some research about how the best way to get books to Houston would be. We could discuss after I picked her up from school. I went home and googled, books and kids in Houston. I sifted through several sites until I came upon Books Between Kids. They are a local non profit that donates books to children that may not otherwise have the luxury of having home libraries. I thought......Ill call them and see what kind of info I can get and how we can help out. I didnt even know if someone would answer the phone. They did and after speaking with Trent about the organization, the road they faced ahead with many of their kids they had spent years building home libraries for gone, and 10 public schools completed destroyed, Destinee's Gift was born. We could do something great! So I thought what if we asked Destinee's school, The Bright School to hold a book drive for the children of Houston? Its something each and every child can participate in. No checks to collect, just kids picking out books from their personal libraries and giving them to other children who had lost so much. Everyone can do that, right? It's something each child can participate in. Something tangible. Something they can feel proud of. Giving to another student across the country they have never met, but in need. I meet with the school counselor and she thought it was a great idea! She set a meeting with the headmaster at The Bright School, the marketing and communication director and herself. They all were in agreement that this would be a wonderful thing to be involved and contribute to. Now to deal with getting the books to Texas. Luckily I know someone.....HaHa! My husband is the C.E.O of a trucking company and he graciously donated the transportation of the books for us. This was my biggest worry, shipping costs. But he came to the rescue and jumped right in. Within 2 weeks the book drive was off and running. Several 4th graders who had shown interest in doing something to help with hurricane victims got involved as well. They made posters, signs, collected books. Meanwhile Destinee's school wrapped their arms around this act of kindness and communicated to each and every parent thru social media, sending home flyers with each child and announcing the book drive on their website and blog. What a wonderful thing!!!! 1,357 books! I am beyond the moon that our 1st book drive collected this many books. An entire pallet full. They were picked up this morning and are on their way to Houston. So proud of Destinee for the kind idea, to Bright for rallying around one of their own to making it a success, and for the parents and faculty of the school for all of their support. Team work makes the dream work!!! Unfortunately there are natural disasters happening everywhere in our country. Floods, fires, earthquakes, etc. During these devastating times people immediate impacted by these disasters need basic needs. Shelter, Food, Water. Books are not at the top of the list. But if Destinee's Gift could make children experiencing this devastation a little more normal by putting a book in their hand, how amazing would that be. I just think about the kids being in shelters, not having anything but the clothes on their backs, loosing their home and all of their belongings all while watching their parents struggle to figure it all out. Its not fair but to be able to give them a little piece of comfort, something they can have of their own, makes us all want to do more. Destinee's gift will continue to be ready to serve those children in need for years to come. It take lots of books, donations, hard work, and lots of people to make it happen. I am just blessed that my little girl was thinking about others and that I am able to foster that giving spirit, hopefully for years to come.