The Happy Kids Project

A New Initiative from the Mission Team

The Mission Team at Ronceverte Presbyterian Church is in the process of planning a children’s outreach initiative called, The Happy Kids Project. There are two goals:
· to be a resource for obtaining school-related needs for children and youth of low- income parents, boosting their self-confidence and self-worth in school
· to also be a resource for supporting after-school activities and community involvement, planting resiliency factors in the lives of children and youth where few, or none, exist.

Happy Kids referrals will come directly from: local schools and local children’s agencies.

By forming an alliance among ecumenical and civic groups in Greenbrier County, we hope to build a network of support for The Happy Kids Project. Each community will have sponsor groups, or “home bases,” that will be asked to provide very specific school-related needs -- gym shoes, band/choir fees, field trip fees, graduation apparel, and other items that families could not, otherwise, afford. When a need is encountered for an anonymous child in their community, a home base will be notified. It would be their responsibility to develop a donor list, or “team members” within their church or organization, who could be contacted on a rotational basis to provide one need at a time. If anyone is unable to provide an item when they are called, the next person will be called, and so on. Folks can help when they are in a position to help, but they have the option to pass (no questions asked) whenever they cannot. No names will ever be shared.

This program will make a significant difference in the school life of each child it serves. And by working as multiple teams within each community, we will be able to help many children and youth in Greenbrier County. Ronceverte Presbyterian will serve as one of several home bases for Ronceverte Elementary School. If you are willing to be placed on a list of folks to be called on a rotational basis throughout the school year, please let the church office know. The more folks on the list, the fewer times each will be called. This will be an easy program to say yes to in terms of commitment, yet it will provide a valuable resource for our county schools, teachers, and students. Thanks in advance for considering this. Please call or email us today!