Help Children Play

So I swore I would never be the parent who hounded friends and co-workers to buy my child’s school candy or wrapping paper but my son Robi came up with an idea that I couldn’t resist sharing. Recently Robi and his 4th grade from Hamilton Elementary School visited Laurel Hill Elementary School in Providence as part of a field trip. There they read to their new reading buddies and through class donations were able to give the teachers much needed school supplies.

Then comes his (always last minute) holiday homework assignment, to do an act of kindness. We talked about people in need and he mentioned the kids he met at Laurel Hill. What struck him was they had no gymnasium, just a small cafeteria that they would use and he suspected probably not much in the way of gym equipment.

When we asked him why gym was important this was his list. “Gym helps you get to know each other and make friends, realize who you are, what your good at, and focus. It builds teamwork and sportsmanship while taking care of your body.” It struck us as parents because Robi changed schools last year and had a hard time trying to fit in. He was never much of an athlete but it was through gym and impromptu sports at recess that he started to come into his own. We are so grateful for the friends he has made, the sports he tried, and eventually found a passion for. But most of all we are grateful for the camaraderie with his fellow play and teammates - supporting and encouraging one another day in and day out. 

Robi first said he’d like to raise $60,000 so these kids could have a gym but I burst that bubble pretty fast. So he began a modest budget online fundraiser to earn enough to allow the school to be able to purchase what their students and Phys Ed department would find most useful.

If you’d like to help Robi in his mission for the students of Laurel Hill Elementary School in Providence we (and they) would be eternally grateful. Happy Holidays!