Elizabeth S., Oakwood High School
Heart to heart
Money. Such a horrendous and ingenious part of our lives. People can be born into money or work almost their whole lives just to scrape by. Being a military kid; I moved from big city to big city and was introduced to the concept of homelessness and poverty at the young age of 6. I couldn’t wrap my head around why no one was helping them. As I grew up I was told that to help out was more difficult than how I imagined : is it?
In 2016 when I was in kindergarten, my family lived on Hanscom Air Force Base ( right next to Concord, Massachusetts ). The winter of 2016 was brutal, breathtaking winds of ice making throats burn and eyes sting. I might not have realized it then but I was very fortunate to have a warm house during times like those. Others are not so fortunate.
During the holiday season, my teachers would tell my class about others in our community who needed help. One situation plucked a string in my heart that made me want to cry, my teacher told us about how some kids didn’t even have warm pajamas to wear in the winter. My kindergarten heart was deeply saddened by this predicament and as I sorted through the confusing emotions, something clicked in my little brain.
‘A pajama drive!’ I told my teacher excitedly. I was going to do a pajama drive for the kids with no pajamas! I could help them; I knew I could. My teacher sat me down and explained to me that I would have to talk to the principal before the school could made any big decisions. The next day I almost skipped my way down to the principal''s office. I was thrilled when I began speaking about my grand idea. The principal listened intently and after I finished she told me that my idea was very special and we would do our very best to help.
After what felt like an eternity ( only about a week for a kindergartener ), I had found an organization that was helping less fortunate kids. This way our school could do its own pajama drive and then give it to a helpful cause. Short to follow was the assembly in which I got to tell the whole school about my hope for a brighter future. I stood proud and full of joy as I informed my much older peers about my pajama drive. Once the boxes were set up and pajamas started piling in; I felt pure, unfiltered happiness. I can- I did make a change.
I have learned an awful lot from my younger self, don’t be afraid to ask to help. Maybe it''s the best thing that happened to someone that day or a great surprise or a huge relief. Whether it is any of those opinions, your actions and mine can make a difference and that difference might change someone''s life.