Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you that read this are having or had a great day with your family and loved ones. We had an awesome day at school on Wednesday providing over 160 families with Thanksgiving day meals. Over 100 volunteers showed up to help our community. Sally and Karen (our counselors) did a great job of organizing our lists, and the Benton Heights and Southbrook team really came together to get the job done. I said to the crowd, that sometimes I go home from work defeated and wondering if I'm worthy of such a tremendous task of leading this school and the challenges we face. It can be sometimes overwhelming. However, looking out and speaking to these volunteers reminds me that I don't have to do it all alone. I have you guys by my side! For that I am thankful.

Please share with those that you know my appreciation and the appreciation of our staff and our families for serving the community of Monroe. I have included a quote from one of our volunteers that was sent to me last night after the experience was over.

"Todays Thanksgiving turnout and delivery was amazing. I cant tell you how much joy we all got out of delivering those dinners to families of our own school. I wanted to thank you and Southbrook for allowing us the opportunity do this..it sure made my Thanksgiving! =)"

Another teacher brought one of her students with her, yes that's right, she went to his house on his day off from school and brought him along to do this community service project. In knowing this person I know her intent was for him to see all the good that is this world. By all the good I mean, the giving, the volunteers, the work effort, the caring, etc. etc. What this young man saw today will undoubtedly impact this young man for a long time. It just may be the experience that helps him turn the corner.

We having been talking about how things go viral (in a good way), you know something starts with one person and then spreads like wild fire among a community, or our society. Here's an example. You can check out when your done reading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwRo0iCvoYE

Yesterday we went viral in Monroe! Thanks, for all you did!

I am thankful for a loving staff, a loving church, a loving family but most importantly a loving God!

What a great day!

Mike