Day 22- Rachel's Challenge and Harpo's

The connection between last year's entry and today's donation may be a bit suspect.  The charity, however, is not.  Since I wrote about one of my favorite episodes of Friends, I thought about finding some sort of charity that had the word friends in it or had something to do with friends.  I remembered back to last year.  In the homecoming parade at SCWHS, there was one float that confused me.  It was for the "Friends of Rachel" group.  I wondered who exactly this Rachel chick was and how she managed to get her own float and why everyone wanted to be her friend.

It turns out that the Rachel in this situation is Rachel Scott, the first victim in the Columbine High School shooting.  After her death, many of her journals and writings were found and shared, and they proved to be quite inspirational for those around her.  An organization was created in her honor named Rachel's Challenge, and clubs have sprung up in schools all over the country in connection with this.  It is truly a beautiful thing.

Their Mission 

We exist to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.


Rachel’s Challenge Objectives for Schools:
  • Create a safe learning environment for all students by re-establishing civility and delivering proactive antidotes to school violence and bullying.
  • Improve academic achievement by engaging students’ hearts, heads and hands in the learning process.
  • Provide students with social/emotional education that is both colorblind and culturally relevant.
  • Train adults to inspire, equip and empower students to affect permanent positive change.
I am ready and willing to start a chain reaction, as Rachel suggested.  Will my $5 donation inspire yours today?  Why not?  What do you have to lose (except the $5, of course)?

http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

P.S. There is a character in Friends named Rachel.  I'm just saying...

******
Last night was a date night in with myself, and that turned out to be kind of nice.  Tonight was Girl's Night Out with some oh so lovely ladies, and that was even better.  Why?  Thanks for asking.
  • We had tacos and salad and animated conversation for dinner. 
  • We headed out to Harpo's, a karaoke bar, for more fun.
  • There was excellent people watching.  Sequins and fishnets and pink lace... and that was just one person's outfit!
  • Good karaoke and bad karaoke.
  • Smoking is no longer allowed inside in St. Louis County.  Wahoo!
  • More people watching.
  • More animated conversations, laughter, and good girl time :).
I'm sure there are a thousand more things I could say, but I'm just plain tuckered now.  Plus, I want to get to bed because it's just one more sleep (right now) until I get to see my boy again!  Double wahoo.

Thank you, Harpo's, you made my day.   

Comments

Ashley said…
AWww.. what a great idea! Rachel. I have learned a lot about the Columbine shootings since moving to the Denver area. I've also been to the memorial that's at a park near Columbine HS. I did not know the students personally, but boy was it moving... and it made me cry... a lot. Those kids who died were like any kid/friend you might have known. It could have been anyone... and that's crazy to me. I love hearing about what Rachel's family is doing with Rachel's challenge. It's great that they're trying to turn such a tragedy into a learning experience to make all schools a better place! Thanks for bringing up Rachel's Challenge! :) I'm adding that to my donation list.
January 10, 2011 at 12:05 PM
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