Be The Change You Wish To See In The World!

By Danielle Campbell

"...Be The Change You Wish To See In The World."   That is one of my favorite quotes from Ghandi!  As a writer I appreciate to sentence structure because it says so much with very little effort.

That quote reminds me of the amazing students at the Ivy League School in Smithtown.

http://www.ivyleaguekids.com/pages/school.htm

The students there held a movie night fundraiser!  Kungfu Panda was the main attraction!

 

There was plenty of popcorn, cotton candy and smiles!

 

The students even put on an amazing Kungfu demonstration before the beginning of the show!

 

Students showing off their skills!

 

The parents, the students and their fabulous, energetic teacher, Janet Bischoff made this amazing night come together because Mrs. Bischoff  heard something I said, during a classroom visit a few months ago.

I was there to do a segment on the brilliant kids at the school who made educational dvd's on environmental issues.

While I was there the students asked me to tell them about stories that I have done and I mentioned going to Nicaragua.

 I explained to the students the conditions in that country and how children don't have shoes, food, toys, paper, pencils. 

 I told them how people here on Long Island are helping them. 

Well apparently when I left, the students and Mrs. Bischoff' decided to do something for the children of Nicaragua!

Because they chose to "Be The Change You Wish To See In The World" the third graders movie night, raised over $500 dollars!

I showed the school the DVD of my Nicaragua story before the movie and I thanked all of them for their touching efforts.

I was overwhelmed and moved to tears.

It was because these elementary school students, their parents and teachers did all this for children they don't know and barely have a concept of.

And yet they decided to be the change, make the difference!

 

Lots of soda and smiles!

Everyone gets to go to the movies!

  Cotton Candy makes everyone happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janet Bischoff and her Kung Fu Son!

The next Day I received this email:

Dear Ms. Campbell,

Thank you so much for coming to our Movie Night Fundraiser.  Today, everyone was abuzz about the video you showed from Nicaragua.  It really puts things into perspective.   

Aside from being exhausted, my class was very excited today.  Our Movie Night Fundraiser brought over $500.00!  Our grand total thus far is over $700.00!  We exceeded our goal of $500.00 and were very excited today! I am so grateful that you brought this valuable lesson to us.  Thank you again.
Janet 

 

The students, families and staff at the Ivy League School remind me of another quote:

If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more,
you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams

I say thank you for reminding me how even the smallest group can lead the way.

Comments

[SUSAN L.RUDNICK]

BRAVO TO ALL ! FONDLY THE RUDNICKS OF AMITYVILLE.DANIELLE; OUR COMPANY GIVES TO ALL THE LOCAL SCHOOL FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO SEE SUCH A FINE EXAMPLE IN THESE YOUNG CHILDREN.WE ALL COULD LEARN FROM THEM.SUSAN L.RUDNICK OF ALITA TILE INC.THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE.