I want to share with you one of the most moving, beautiful examples of what Builders Club is about first.  In October,  14 of our 8th grade BC students were allowed to help participate in a “Circus” for the Children’s Center.  Our students would be their “hands & feet”.   Lee & I were somewhat worried about how our students would relate to what they would see at CC.  It is a hospital/home for over 100 children with severe mental/physical disabilities from birth to accidents at age 16 & are never going to be the same.  There are nurses on staff 24/7 and teachers, speech pathologist, therapists of every facet that work there. 

 

Our 8th graders went there not fully understanding what they were going to do, but as soon as they walked in the “Circus” room and saw all of the equipment & wheelchairs, I could see a few tense up.  We had been briefed on what our jobs would be, pairing up with some children individually & working popcorn & helping some just feel cotton candy or popcorn because they couldn’t eat it.  I have never been more proud of our students as I was that day, but yet, they surprised me a week later.  Each student worked with children that will never be able to enjoy what our students do at the most basic of levels.  Several were brought to tears that day & visible/verbally shared in car rides back what an amazing experience it was for them.  From talking to each one as a person to bowling to giving high fives, our students treated each child/adolescent as they would want to be treated!

 

A week later when I asked them to share with the entire group of BC students, mind you I hadn’t told them I was going to do this, every student spoke.  Each had an important message & I couldn’t have spoken through my tears of what they ALL said.  Some spoke of how that could’ve been them, others of their own experiences that they NEVER shared in public, much less with peers!  You could’ve heard a pin drop on my carpet & each 6th/7th grader was completely attentive & wanted to hear what they shared.  It was one of the most humbling teaching experiences I’ve ever experienced.  Even now, it makes me teary.

 

I tell you this story, so you can know that Builders Club ismaking a difference & it is teaching our students important life lessons we can’t always do in the classroom.  Also, with so many other demands through the holidays, we decided to not to the Children’s Center drive that we were asked about.  They need these supplies year round & our students now know, at least our 45 or so, how we can really make a difference if we choose to.  Below I’m pasting Harrison Dunlap’s flyer that we can make into a flyer or you can copy/paste into your school note.  We are going to have the drive first 2 weeks after spring break, but if information went out next week, that’d give parents opportunity to pick up things over the break.  What they need is very specific because of the children at facility.  They don’t need the frills, just the basics.  I would love to see Oakdale SHINE on these sweet children!

 

Shine on~

Robbie

 

OAKDALE BUILDERS CLUB SUPPORTS----CHILDREN’S CENTER of Bethany

The drive is from Monday, March 25th to Friday, April 5.

There will be boxes in each pod to place items in for Children’s Center

It is for the ENTIRE school, so all grades can bring the following supplies:

Diapers (Pampers and Huggies only)

Burt’s Bees lotion, body wash, and lip balm

Badger Balm

White towels and washcloths

White twin-sized flat sheets

White blankets (twin and full sizes)

Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 Volt)

Hair bows and bands

Children’s Band-Aids (Disney characters, Hello Kitty, etc.)

Respectfully,

Harrison Dunlap

Oakdale 8th Grade Builders Club Secretary

 

P.S. For more information on The Children’s Center you can visit their web-page at    https://www.tccokc.org/