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Erasing Student's Fears
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Join in the excitement of helping at-risk
children prepare for school this year!
Your special gift of
$25 today can help a child with a brighter future!
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Operation Blessing volunteer outreach centers in the United
States and around the world are launching Back-To-School 2002 this August! Since
Back-To-School's (BTS) inception in 1984, partners like you have been involved
in helping more than a half a million children living in poverty return to school
with an extra boost of confidence. Like last year, with you help we will assist
more than 70,000 children living in twenty-five USA states and thirteen countries
around the world. Take a glimpse from Chicago of what happens around the country
at this special time of year.
Every day 2,806 American high school students drop out of classes (Children's
Defense Fund). Some want to make their own money; some join a gang; but some simply
disappear from school because they are tired of fearing the scorn of classmates'
ridicule for not having the right school clothes or supplies. As a Chicago detective,
OBI's outreach center leader Jim Parker sees the stark reality facing most of
these high school dropouts. Seeking to erase the fears of ridicule and encourage
young people to stay in school is one reason why Jim is so involved in the BTS
program each year. Over 2,300 children of all ages were assisted by BTS 2001 in
Chicago!
Community churches, individuals and organizations came alongside OBI in making sure $50 gift certificates were distributed through Jim's established network to the poorest of school-aged children.
On a hot August day last year, you would have found Jim at K-Mart in the midst of organized chaos! He and parental guardians had bused some of the participants in for a shopping day. As the day progressed a friendly competition began among volunteer helpers and Back-to-School shoppers, seeing how far each could stretch their certicate with extra store discounts. One girl did so well, she asked if she could buy some popcorn with the leftover change. Upon seeing her required uniform, socks and a pair of shoes, Jim told her it was okay. She looked happier about the popcorn than the new clothing!
Jim later found out that the child was living in a homeless shelter with her mother and three siblings. He gave the mother some McDonald's certificates as a special dinner treat. "The interesting thing about this whole incident is she had ministered to me," Jim reflected. "If popcorn could make the world smile as big as that little girl, I would buy it for the world!"
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