Thank Yous

This clothing and snack drive was successful because hundreds of people took the time to make it happen.
 
Thank you to the Pauline Johnson PAC for your rapid and enthusiastic support and for wanting to explore what else the PJ community can do beyond the clothing drive. (I'd especially like to thank Monica Crowe, Victoria Mendes, Susan Piercey, and Connie Hart from the PAC for meeting with me, and Eileen Huster for answering my many emails).

Principal David Langmuir gave this initiative his immediate support and fielded lots of logistical questions, as did the rest of the administrative staff who watched (in delight or dismay, I'm not sure which) as the hallway outside of the office, and then the gym, and then the art room, became repositories for donations.

Thank you to all of the Pauline Johnson teachers for supporting this drive and promoting it in your classrooms and beyond. Thank you to PJ Kids Club for doing the same.

Thank you to all of the PJ families who took the time to find, wash, and deliver the hundreds of items that made this clothing drive so successful. (Here I'd like to add an extra big thank you to the parents who went out and bought new underwear, socks, and boxes of snacks--these items were urgently needed and your extra efforts are so very appreciated!)

I was deeply touched that there were families and friends outside of the Pauline Johnson community who heard about the drive and decided to help out by donating clothing and food. This was completely unexpected and utterly amazing. I'd like to name you all here, but I'm afraid I'll leave people out, so I won't dare.

I'd also like to add a special thanks to the following individuals:
 
Eileen Huster, PAC chair, picked up and stored donations at her home every day until there were too many to fit into her van. She also answered emails, sorted clothes, and helped deliver the items to the schools.

Kathleen Akins spent hours sorting clothes and then spent another day leashed to her washing machine and dryer, cleaning dozens of good quality jackets and other items that needed extra TLC.

Monica Crowe and her daughter Jackie, Debbie Pudritz and her daughter Sarah, Susan Piercey, Lilla Pedersen, and Vincent helped to sort the mountain of donations into manageable piles. Lillian Ang walked past the gym, saw what was happening, rolled up her sleeves and pitched in. Enrico Samonte, helped clean up our mess and lifted our spirits.

Brodie Pedersen took a day off work to lend us his van and drive the clothes downtown.

Josh Pasnak spread the word, found boxes, helped sort clothes, picked up donations, took a day off work and borrowed his dad's van (thanks Allen!) to help deliver clothes to the schools, dropped off the surplus donations at various worthy organizations, and then recycled the cardboard boxes and leftover plastic bags when all was said and done. You, sir, are amazing.

The principals and some staff members at Sir William MacDonald, Lord Strathcona, and Queen Alexandra warmly accepted the donations and introduced us to their schools and students. It was clear that all of the schools are unique and rich in what they offer their students and the wider community—I think we could learn a lot from them. Thank you Joan Storlund (MacDonald), Margaret Jorgensen (Strathcona), and Cheryll Matthews (Queen Alexandra) for welcoming us in and showing us around.

Lastly, thank you to the students and staff at Strathcona and Queen Alexandra for exuberantly carrying in the donations for us, and to Willie and Gina at Sir William MacDonald for letting us in and then fortifying us with cappuccinos and cookies.

If I missed anyone here, I'm sorry, please know your efforts were recognized at the time and appreciated.