Thursday, September 28, 2017

JFK Was a DREAMER Too!

We intended to update you sooner, because we certainly needed to say, "THANK YOU!"  Your response has been simply amazing. We are working diligently to ensure that all of the time, money and energy being put into this project by our donors and volunteers is making a BIG difference in the lives of Hurricane Harvey victims.   So, thank you ALL!  And a BIG shout out to our volunteers in Hawaii, Oregon and California... The Dream Team!  Your letters,  emails and fundraising efforts have been super effective!  Finally, a BIG shout out to Lee Cataluna, columnist and reporter at the Star Advertiser.  Your recent story generated some of the most ENCOURAGING mail that we've ever received.  Some came from teachers who reminded us that we are on the right track and to keep on "dreaming."  One envelope, marked "HE DID TOO," reminded us of a famous "Dreamer," John F. Kennedy, who said:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Or, as we like to say: Thank you for caring enough to not just "dream of a better world," but to go out and help make it happen.

- Hannah Button

KEEP ON DREAMING!


(If you want to read Lee's article, CLICK on the individual 
pages below and they should enlarge)




Sunday, September 17, 2017

Another Real Story!

Here is ANOTHER REAL STORY of the Sheridan Elementary school Nurses Assistant (and her family) that your DONATIONS are helping to get back to work and back on their feet!  The story is relayed by one of our contacts on the ground at Sheridan Elementary.

Melissa and Family being rescued!
Melissa (Staff Member): Melissa just joined our staff this school year; she was not working prior to her start in August because she was a stay at home mother. She rotates between 3 different campuses throughout the week serving as a nurses assistant. Her home was flooded and she lost everything. She is currently driving 1.5 hours to work each day in a car that was flooded and has since mildewed and smells very bad. Melissa is recently separated from her husband, so she is no longer receiving support from her 4 year old's father. She is living with her mother way across town from where she works. She does not know anyone on this side of town and it is her goal for her 4 year old to enroll in Pre-K in one of the schools that she works at. The problem is our Pre-K is only a half day program, which would require her daughter to go to a nearby daycare for the other 1/2 of the day. She does not know anyone on her work side of town who can care for her daughter.  Melissa is needing financial assistance to pay for daycare, and the financial assistance that comes from FEMA will not kick-in in time for her to pay for childcare expenses at the start of school on September 11th. Melissa lost everything in the flood and only has 2 pairs of clothes that she alternates through at work. 

Monday, September 11, 2017

School Started Today! And... Your DONATIONS Helped Make it Happen!

NEWS FLASH…

As of today, we have have sent over $15,000 to our contacts in Katy, Texas to help Sheridan Elementary teachers, students and their families get back to school, get back on their feet and for everyday necessities (like FOOD)!   

The stories of "need" have been heartbreaking, and they keep coming in.  There are still many, many people who need our help... and some families are without food.  Our contacts there have been doing an amazing job, identifying the most needy, finding the items most needed and delivering them.

Jose's Family before Hurricane Harvey
What we are realizing is that so many people have lost EVERYTHING, and just replacing their immediate needs will drain all of their savings.  Also, most are not covered by insurance for a natural disaster and they are left with bills, no housing, and no way to get to work.  It's absolutely CRAZY!  Even teachers, some who are single parents, are in that position and feeling HOPELESS. 

Quick Story:  Of a family YOU are helping... Jose's apartment was completely flooded and they left with nothing except a backpack with important documents. Hilda, the daughter, had started school in another district for 4 days before the floods came. Both parents worked hard to provide the child with her uniforms for school as well as school supplies, which she no longer has. This family does not have the money to purchase (again) the basic school needs for their child. Sheridan Elementary has provided her with a backpack, school supplies, and a toy, but this family needs everything... especially food.

What's left of Jose's Family's Belongings
As of today, we have sent out over $15,000 to help give TEACHERS and needy FAMILIES a sense HOPE.  The funds are providing food, uniforms, basic clothing, school supplies and personal items for getting students and some very needy families back to school and, hopefully, back on their feet.  We have also helped teachers, whose cars were totaled and not covered by either insurance or FEMA, helped teachers with new furniture items, gas cards and other basic needs.  In short, thanks to YOUR DONATIONS, we have been able to help to GIVE them HOPE and to get them BACK TO SCHOOL!

Where they are still living.
This coming week, we will continue with more of the
same... identifying the best way to help the neediest teachers and families.  It is becoming clear to everyone that FEMA financial assistance won't kick in (in time) to meet these basic needs.  And, it is definitely NOT getting them back to school, or meeting their every day expenses to do so... like childcare, cars, gas, furniture, clothing and FOOD... REAL LIFE, EVERY DAY MUST HAVES!



Thank you for your continued support!  It is REALLY WORKING!  

And, THERE IS STILL MUCH TO DO!

PLEASE FORWARD.... If ANYONE is interested, we STILL have teachers and families who REALLY NEED OUR HELP! 

CLICK HERE: (FOR MORE STORIES)

 

 If you'd like to DONATE NOW.... CLICK the DONATE BUTTON on the upper right labelled:  

HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF!


OR... send checks to:
 
Dream of a Better World
P.O. Box 455
Haleiwa, HI  96712  

Dream of a Better World is a 501(c)3 Non-profit.





Sunday, September 3, 2017

Making "Back to School" happen in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey!

One teacher at a time...
One family at a time...
We will make a difference...  one story at a time.

According to the governor of Texas, hurricane Harvey displaced over 5,000,000 people... more than hurricane's Katrina and Sandy combined.   One of the worst communities hit was Katy, Texas with a population of about 16,000 people.

Sheridan Elementary is a Title 1 school situated in the heart of this community, where 66% of their families are disadvantaged.  The school buildings survived, but their school is still not open, because their teachers, families and communities are devastated. Many have lost their homes, their cars and most of their belongings.  This is where WE will lend our HELPING hands... getting the teachers and students of Sheridan Elementary back to school.

The good news is that we are uniquely situated to make a BIG difference there in helping those teachers and kids get back to school! 


Kelsey (Richvalsky) DeMarce, one of our long time Dream of a Better World supporters is a teacher at that very school.  She is working with us to relay their needs and to ensure that all of our raised support goes to where it's needed most.

All of our Dream Team members have voted and agree, our first priority... let's help those teachers who have lost their homes, cars and everyday items to get back to doing what they do best!


Sheikkaya - 4th Grade Teacher evacuating her family
"So many teachers have made a huge impact on who I am, and I am grateful for them every day." - Hannah, Hawaii Team Leader, age 17.

"Education is our key to the future, and the type of path we will take as a society." - Zack, California Team Leader, age 16.

"My life is so much better because there are caring teachers who are passionate about their work." - Max, California Team Leader, age 16.

Stephanie - Special Ed Teacher, kayaking to safety.
Our second priority is... these kids, this school and its community will need everything from food to uniforms and school supplies.   

So PLEASE join in. We PROMISE... 100% of your donations will go to this area of need. 

 

If you'd like to read STORIES from some of the TEACHERS that need our help!

CLICK HERE: (FOR STORIES)

 

 If you'd like to DONATE NOW.... CLICK the DONATE BUTTON on the upper right labelled:  

HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF!


OR... send checks to:
 
Dream of a Better World
P.O. Box 455
Haleiwa, HI  96712  

Dream of a Better World is a 501(c)3 Non-profit.


Saturday, September 2, 2017

Hurricane Relief UPDATE...

Great News.... California, Hawaii and Oregon have "Dream Teams" mobilizing to make a real difference for Hurricane Harvey victims! 

 

 

More GREAT News... we have longtime Dream of a Better World friend and supporter, Kelsey (Richvalsky) DeMarce, at ground zero directing our efforts!  

 

The NEEDS here are overwhelming.  But, we are now well positioned to guarantee that your donations will make a HUGE difference in the lives of the families living there!  In the next few days, we will communicate more about those lives and stories.  

Here's a HINT... from Dream of a Better World, where kids help kids... and students help teachers too! :)

Friday, September 1, 2017

Hurricane Harvey Relief - Here's What We Can Do to HELP!


Hurricane Harvey’s devastation is hard to put into words. As many people know now, severe flooding and 130+ mph winds have displaced over 30,000 people.

Thousands more are awaiting rescue and these numbers are rising. As those unaffected by Harvey, it’s important to realize that each and every one of these innocent people are counting on us for help.

Many are living without food, dry clothes and other essential supplies that are frequently taken for granted.

Here’s how YOU can support the victims of
Hurricane Harvey!
A quick and effective way to help is to donate.  If you'd like to donate through us, the "Hurricane Harvey Relief" DONATE button is on the right.

We will turn your generous donation into these desperately needed items.  Many different supplies are  needed in Texas relief shelters. By donating to Dream of a Better World’s Hurricane Harvey relief campaign, your funds will be used to buy necessary supplies for victims in need and for the tools used to clean up and restore damaged communities in Texas.

Below is a list of supplies needed.

Dehumidifiers
Portable Blowers and Air conditioners
Extension Cords
Ground Fault Protectors
Pop up Canopies
Shovels
Wheelbarrows
Crow Bars
Hammers
Utility Knives
Work Gloves
Dust Masks
Pressure Washers
Fans
Ladders
Buckets
Chainsaws
Clippers
Tools for Boarding Windows
Tarps
Rope
Portable Lights
Portable Generators
Nail Guns
Saw Horses
Spray Paint
Safety Glasses
Mops
Brooms
Deck Brooms
5-Gallon Resealing Bucket
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid Household cleaner
Dish soap
Bleach
Scrub Brush
Cleaning Wipes
Sponges
Scouring Pads
Paper Towels
Disposable Rags
Air Freshener
Clothespins
Clotheslines
Heavy-Duty Trash Bags
Insect Repellant
Water
First Aide Kits
Toiletries
Rain Ponchos



There are many great organizations making a difference in the lives of Hurricane Harvey victims.  PLEASE pick one and JOIN in.   If you do decide to trust us with your donation, please let us know who inspired you to do in the comments section of your donation.  We would like to thank them personally in a future blog.

As always, we promise you that 100% of your donation through Dream of a Better World will go to needed items, needy families or organizations on the ground needing our help.  All of our overhead is DONATED or raised separately.

Thank your for helping!  The Dream Team