A while back, a very nice woman name Natalie French emailed me to ask if I had any interest in participating in the DonorsChoose Bloggers Challenge.  DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that connects classroom teachers in need of materials with donors, via the internet.  You read the proposal, and then you choose which teacher to help and how much you can spare.

So simple.

I’m all about helping teachers; I taught for ten years before Henry was born, so I know what it’s like to stand up in front of a class full of wiggly kids every day.  I am also deeply grateful to every single person at my children’s current school, for loving them and guiding them and creating an environment where they are happy and healthy and safe.

Wait, I need a tissue.

I emailed Natalie back and said I would be happy to participate.  And then I kind of forgot about it, because I was busy helping with homework and listening to Henry read to me and promising Charlie that he would learn to read soon, too.

This week I’ve been paging through the proposals at DonorsChoice, reading teacher proposals, trying to choose one teacher, one classroom, one set of needs to ask you all to support.  Mostly, though, I’ve just been weeping because my god these are great projects and wonderful teachers.  I want to give them all everything they are asking for.

I’ve picked two classrooms, both in Oklahoma; both schools are in high-poverty areas, and both teachers are asking for materials to support literacy skills.  Neither teacher needs all that much money — each is asking for about $250 — and donations to both projects will be matched by the Hille Foundation.  That means that every dollar you give becomes two dollars.

But don’t think about it in terms of dollars — think about it in terms of kids, little kids, from poor neighborhoods in Oklahoma, who deserve a chance to read.  Think about it in terms of teachers who have hearts that are bigger than their budgets and who want to do what’s best for their students.  Think about what your kids have, what you take for granted every day, and then think about how you can help these kids.  If you have an extra dollar — or five or fifty — please think about sharing it with these children and their teachers.

The Friday Playdate giving page is here; please donate, if not to these classrooms then to one that you choose.  But before you go and read these proposals, grab a tissue — you’ll need it.

And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your participation.