Veronica Easterling along with her L and E mentees handed out Christmas cards and smiles on Sunday at Rockingham Manor. The group also visited Britthaven in Hamlet and made sure that each resident got a card for the holiday.
Her students went to Rockingham Manor and Britthaven on Sunday passing out Christmas cards and holiday cheer.
“A lot of people who live in nursing homes don’t get a chance to see their family during the holiday season,” Zuri Covington said.
He, along with the rest of the youth, wanted to show that not every child has the urge to be in the streets.
“The kids want to show that they can help, they want to be able to give back to the community,” Easterling said.
They strolled each hallway of the nursing homes making sure to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday’s with a smile. The residents smiled and returned the holiday gestures.
“Any time that you can reach out and help out, it is a positive thing,” Covington said. “I wanted to show that, as an example of what you could do.”
“The time that they put into this is just as valuable as any other donation,” Easterling said.
But the group isn’t just about helping during the holidays. Easterling wants this to become an ongoing endeavor.
“If you don’t take the time to work with them how can they achieve,” Easterling said.
She went on to speak about lower achieving students and the fact that more resources are needing to reach them.
“When a eighth grader is reading at a fourth grade level, I have a problem with that,” Easterling said.
She said she can only do a portion herself and she hopes more will be interested in her efforts.
“We are also accepting other sponsors,” she said.
The holiday donations were sponsored by Nelson Funeral Home.
The youth have also helped needy families by taking donations of clothing, food and household supplies and reaching out the best way that they can.
“These children aren’t wasting their time, they have goals,” Easterling said.
They are looking to change what’s said about the youth by doing the right things and making the right decisions.
“The community is important to them,” Easterling said. “It’s not about me it’s about them.
Her book, “I’m speaking, I’m not perfect, Understand Me,” was recently published and hopes that her words will help others.
For more information contact Easterling at (704) 713-7455.
Staff Writer Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mail at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com
Post a Comment
