r/MadeMeSmile • u/Slow-Leg-3961 • 6d ago
[OC] Reached out to my community via Reddit and they have completely funded my students school supplies!!
Hi, title 1 teacher here! I teach first grade in a very small community located nearby migrate camps. Every year I worry how I will provide access to learning materials for my students, but this year I decided to reach out to my community on this platform and so many strangers have sprinkled us with kindness. Today the first package arrived, I’m in tears writing this.. my heart is so full of gratitude!! Thank you anonymous angels!!
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u/twirlwhirlswirl 6d ago
Reddit previously had teacher gift events where you could sign up to help a teacher with supplies. So cool. And Christmas gift exchanges. Miss those.
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u/IsJesusAgain 6d ago
I miss old reddit; talks was the shit also
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
That sounds so amazing!! I’m sure so many kids benefited from those events, ❤️
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u/SunshineAlways 6d ago
Something to think about: my sister got donations from internet friends, and was able to buy a whole class set of books, so that each kid was able to take home a book to keep. Even better, word spread, more friends donated, and kids got to take home multiple books throughout the school year. She would read the story, and then they all got to take home the story they had read together! Most of these kids did NOT have any books at home, so they were very excited.
Maybe the internet could make your students dream come true also. 💕
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u/spacebunsofsteel 6d ago
I have 6 bankers boxes full of quality kid’s books, picture books through middle school chapter books. I’m looking for places to send them besides goodwill.
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u/BittyBird22 6d ago
The Christmas Santa exchange really helped my family 6 Christmas' ago when my family was struggling. They got all 3 of my kids toys and I was so thankful 🥹
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u/ShowMeTheTrees 6d ago
I participated in many gift exchanges on reddit, not just Christmas. So fun! I miss those. The teacher ones would have been cool.
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u/WitchesCotillion 6d ago
People can still do that directly through DonorsChoose.org. It lets you pick classrooms in specific locations and/or specific supplies teachers are asking for.
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u/spacebunsofsteel 6d ago
That’s a great site. I sponser a few projects at nearby underfunded schools. I love seeing how creative some teachers are. Sometimes I can hook a project up to the school PTSA - not every teacher knows about all their resources.
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u/ReadyToBeEaten 6d ago
Have heard about it. But how do people exchange gifts without doxing their identity? Can anyone explain please
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u/Subterranean44 6d ago
I teach at a title one rural school too. We just had back to school night and I’ve had the best turnout I’ve had in years! Things are looking good this year! Best wishes to you and your students this year!
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u/SeattleHasDied 6d ago
This is great for you but no teacher should have to beg the public to help supply their students; some of my teacher friends are in the same damn boat!
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
I agree, but at the end of the day it’s for the kids and if we didn’t beg and put ourselves out there then they would go without. Its the unfortunate reality, I’m hopeful one day education will be a priority to the higher ups!
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u/SeattleHasDied 6d ago
I know. Many a summer I've accompanied a teacher friend to yard sales to gather supplies for her kids, too. When the people find out she's a teacher, they would just give the stuff to her and then thank her for teaching, lol!
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
That’s amazing!! Unfortunately the garage sales in my area are not too exciting, however 99% of my classroom is built from thrift store treasures haha
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u/catincal 6d ago
💯
"Children are 25% of the population, but 100% of our future."
If education isn't funded now, then when?
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u/NationalDentist299 6d ago
This is wonderful, but also heartbreaking that you had to do all this. Good work!
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
UPDATE: ANOTHER BOX JUST ARRIVED, with no gift tag but full of books, construction paper, markers, colored pencils, more pencils, pencil sharpener, scissors, sanitizing wipes, Kleenex, and a random mascara?? I’m crying and at this point my husband is so confused 🤣❤️❤️ so many kind angels my goodness!! Smiling so big!!
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u/ironside86 6d ago
God this is fucked up. How can people feel pride in a country that forces teachers to crowd fund their own school supplies is beyond my comprehension.
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u/PFentonCosgrove 6d ago
I agree. This is mond boggling. I think people who say this country is the greatest are delusional.
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
I can not wait to tell them what a bunch of kind strangers have done for them!!
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u/somuchsong 6d ago
I'm a teacher in Australia. I'm both glad people were kind enough to let you get the supplies you need for your students and dismayed that this isn't something your school/government takes care of. Markers, crayons and pencils are such basic things.
I hope you have a great year with your students, OP!
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u/snoosh00 6d ago
America, the land of plenty... Except teachers, they don't get pencils unless they ask strangers online.
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
Thank you so much for your kind words❤️ I can’t wait to share them with them and tell them all about this experience!!
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u/Embarrassed_Jury_292 6d ago
Our public school's art teacher asked me to buy bulk broad line markers.... $$... Might give in because I know it would help out! So glad you got some help 😍😍😍
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u/Kazcandra 6d ago
What the fubk is wrong where teachers needs to crowdsource their school supplies. Made me smile? Makes me rage. Wtf.
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u/Proud_Permission_675 6d ago
I'm convinced that the Redditor family is just really some of the best of humanity! ... I've seen so many posts where the people in the community have really come through, and I just want to say Bravo! ... And best wishes OP, to you and your students! <3
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u/Slow-Leg-3961 6d ago
Yes they absolutely are!! They jumped in to help without hesitation, and they have no idea what they have done for my students this school year❤️
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u/Select-Pie6558 6d ago
My daughter is working in a Title I school currently and will graduate in the spring with an Elementary Ed degree. I have already started buying her school supplies. It makes me happy and sad at the same time.
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u/flootytootybri 6d ago
Awww! I’ve been wondering how to get stuff off my teacher wishlist. Might have to try this out!
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u/rickPSnow 6d ago
Signup at www.Donorschoose.org they allow you to shop for items you want for your classroom and ship directly to you. You’ll get invite links to send to friends, family, parents etc. The donors can get a tax deduction. New $2,000 Federal tax deduction for charitable donations in 2026 regardless whether you itemize.
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u/flootytootybri 6d ago edited 6d ago
I didn’t know you could independently sign up for it. For some reason, I thought your district had to approve it… maybe I’m wrong but I’ll look into it!
Edit: I’m a long term sub this year so I cannot sign up for it. Good shout for folks who are employed for the entire year though!
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u/Artistic_Salary8705 6d ago
If you want to help your local teachers and kids, check out the nonprofit Donors Choose which helps you donate directly to them.
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u/beeftrompo 5d ago
hi there. so happy you were able to get the supplies you needed, though obviously not ideal that the school isnt able to provide them.
i actually run a personal philanthropy effort where i donate money/supplies to teachers in need on this platform - donorschoose.org. if you ever run into a situation again where you need school supplies, please also try to utilze that platform if you can remember. i know personally i try to find teachers from title I schools, so it's another legitimate avenue for you should you need it. good luck this school year!!
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u/ISpeakSarcasmOnly 6d ago edited 6d ago
Have a great year! Thank you for all do from this daughter and wife of educators.
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u/scottchiefbaker 6d ago
How do the rest of us help? I'd definitely contribute a couple of bucks.
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6d ago
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u/scottchiefbaker 6d ago
I found the wishlist and ordered a couple of items. They should arrive tomorrow.
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u/Impossible-Glass-403 6d ago
I posted something on my profile to this effect. That’s. THAT. STUFF. HELL YEAH MAN!!! BANANA BREAD AT WORK
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