From: Maureen McDonald <MaureenMcDonald@compuserve.com>
Subject: Joy at Christmas
Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Solstice and all
sorts of celebratory greetings. I'm in the holiday space, thanks to a
Detroit school principal who taught me about miracles and gratitude. Thanks
to a lucky coincidence I was able to help her students receive gifts for
the holiday. I'm reposting the message with the school address in case
anyone wants to send something to this principal.
Last Friday I interviewed Marilee Bylsma, the principal of Samuel Gompers
school in Detroit for an upcoming newspaper article. Her kids score as
high as swanky suburban kids on the state academic tests, even though
97 percent fall under the poverty line. The neighborhood is cluttered
with abandoned buildings, crack houses and mangy dogs. Kids sometimes
walk through a hail of gunfire to get to class. Their families frequently
go without heat. But school is a safe haven thanks to Miss B and her 18
teachers.
I was awestruck by the love and warmth I felt from the moment I stepped
through the door. At morning assembly the 375 children stood in neat lines
and recited a pledge which said, "I believe I can accomplish anything
I want to achieve. . .I am responsible for my behavior. . .I will respect
myself and others. . .Today I pledge to believe in me!" I spent two
hours walking in and out of classrooms, hearing kids bursting with excitement
for learning spelling or multiplication tables. Their eyes looked open
and aware.
This principal doesn't give up on inner city students, relegate her teachers
to the role of disciplinarians, wall herself off in an inpenetrable office.
She takes money out of her own pocket to buy gifts for children whose
house was robbed and presents stolen from under the tree -- along with
the tree. She feeds all the kids breakfast and lunch because hungry children
can't learn. She found a grant to make it possible.
I walk out with tears streaming down my face. The principal wanted to
have a Christmas celebration this Thursday, but didn't know where the
money would come from to buy each kid a present. I almost blew off a press
luncheon downtown because I felt to overcome with emotion. I walked into
Cobo Hall, the main convention center, filled with 200 journalists and
public relations counselors. The first person I talked with was a woman
named Angie. After I told her about Miss B, she asked if the lady wanted
$1000 in merchandise from Value City, a new department store chain in
Detroit. It just so happened she was given $5,000 to give to 5 charities
to help them help poor kids. When she heard about Samuel Gompers school,
she knew instantly it was a winner.
On Tuesday I followed Miss B, some teachers and parents around Value City
while she collected basketballs, underwear, dolls and toy trucks for the
children. She got warm coats, socks and sweatpants so children wouldn't
shiver along their route to school. Tears streamed down her eyes. On Thursday,
the janitor dressed up like Santa Claus and distributed gifts to each
child by name. These are the kids who don't care if the socks are pink
or purple. If they are warm, its a blessing.
This time of year, Miss B reminds me of the blessing of Christmas. When
we give, we honor the giver and we generate more joy to go out and give
more. We never know just how much a kindness is appreciated. If you have
used children's clothes, games, toys or spare cash you'd like to donate,
let me know by e-mail. I'd like to do more for this school. It's a chance
to see love in action,t he kind of love that fuels a new generation of
awake, alert children. So many of us have given up on Detroit schools,
called them a pit. We forget, these kids could be tomorrow's leaders.
We can help them get there.
Love,
Maureen
P.S. -- Should you feel moved to send clothes or contributions, do so
to
Marilee Bylsma, principal, Samuel Gompers Elementary School, 20601 W.
Davison, Detroit 48223 (313) 494-7495.
