Book of the Spirit

More Students Get Involved

5/17/2011

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 2011

Ashley's blanket drive at grade school has continued to inspire students to help others near and far. At John McLoughlin Elementary, a number of student leadership projects were started when principal Carol Sanders and counselor Sally Brown developed and promoted the Ashley Drew Leadership Project. Some of these projects were highlighted recently in UpFront, the Oregon City School District newsletter. The students who made and sold bookmarks to assist the schools reading program while raising funds to help Doernbecher Children’s Hospital fight cancer was very touching for us. As many people know Ashley was an avid reader and Doernbecher's staff were very caring during Ashley's last two days of her life.

Also in that same newsletter is a story about Carol being named new Director of School Improvement for the district. Congratulations to her for her achievements at McLoughlin and future endeavors at OC schools.

Inspiring Youth Leaders

3/22/2011

Ashley and blankets collected during school blanket drive (2001)

Staff at John McLoughlin Elementary School in Oregon City recently started a Youth Leadership Project to honor Ashley and her desire to help others. The project aims to "support students finding ways to strengthen their home, school, community and world in a big way."

Ashley organized a school blanket drive during the Fall/Winter of 2001 after seeing a news article about local homeless individuals who were suffering in the cold winter weather. She was so touched by story that she decided to do something about it: inform others. She talked to her friends, spoke at a school board meeting and made announcements on the school PA system. In all she and her peers at school collected more than 75 blankets and donated them to a local homeless shelter!

Thanks to Mrs. Sanders, Ms. Brown and other staff members at John McLoughlin for honoring Ashley in this way. With this project they desire for students to understand that one person can make a difference much like Ashley did. Please read more about the leadership project on page 3 of the JME October 2010 newsletter and page 1 of the November 2010 newsletter.

-- Update on Tuesday March 23rd, 2011 --
Mrs. Sanders contacted me recently to let me know that Oregon City School District Upfront newsletter was so inspired by the student leadership projects that they want to publish an article about these amazing kids! Please read more about the Ashley Drew Leadership Project on pages 1 and 2 of the JME February 2011 newsletter below.

A Christmas Meal

12/26/2010

Sara was inspired by Ashley's generosity - so much so she wanted to have a way to help others during the holidays which has become a difficult time of your for us. She had an idea - let's feed members of our community who may be lonely or with food or housing during this time of year. Our church was gracious enough to let us their kitchen for preparing a traditional Christmas dinner. We had several members of our church and biological family show up to help. We fed 7 individuals from outside our church. SUCCESS!

Ray's Place

7/1/2010

The Side of Rays House

The OCUMC Youth Group will be helping one of their congregation members, Ray Watts, by painting his house in the near future. As you can see from the photo above the south side of his house needs some work.

Ashley's Closet Started with OCUMC Youth Group

11/27/2009

Sara and I have been working with Oregon City United Methodist Church (OCUMC) youth to start Ashley's Closet which is the their outreach of mission activities. Recently the youth group completed their first successful clothing drive.

More Students Get Involved

Inspiring Youth Leaders

A Christmas Meal

Ray's Place

Ashley's Closet Started with OCUMC Youth Group

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