Thread by @emesola, Today had me reflect on something. Cold fronts in Florida really expose [...]

Today had me reflect on something. Cold fronts in Florida really expose the level of poverty that some people encounter. My husband works at a school that is 98% free lunch / below the poverty line. So many kids without coats and proper footwear. It’s extremely disheartening.

There was a child who showed up today wearing boots that had the soles separated from the shoe, and holes in them. He had no socks on. He’s homeless.
I went to Marshall’s and picked him up a pair of shoes and a pack of socks. But I wish there was more I could do.

Every year we spend about $100 and get Christmas presents for disadvantaged kids at his school.
So that got me thinking.
My Twitter army was able to do amazing things earlier this year and we raised $15k for the NAACP. I want to do something special for these kids.

Even better: It’s #GivingTuesday.
If you have a couple of bucks to spare, pitch in to help these kids. I’ll be purchasing Christmas gifts, socks, shoes and coats for them. Will keep you guys updated every day with fundraising progress.
Venmo: Erika-Imburgio
Cash app: $emesola

#GivingTuesday

$350 in Venmo, $40 in cashapp, plus my $100.
Were already close to $500 for the kids.
I don’t care what anyone says, Twitter is amazing.

Update: $685 in Venmo, $100 in Cash app, plus my $100.
Total so far: $885 for the kids!!

Update! $773 in Venmo, $100 in Cash App, $100 from me.
Total: $973 for the kids!
Who wants to bring us to $1000?

We’re over $1000! I can’t wait to go Christmas shopping for these kids. #GivingTuesday

We’re over $1500 now!! #GivingTuesday

Thank you everyone for making this happen. If you can’t donate, please share. Shopping is going to be happening this week and weekend. First wave: clothing/shoes to the children in urgent need.
We’ll give out the toys / Christmas presents next week

Good morning everyone. Woke up to so many Venmo notifications. We are so close to $2000 for the kids. Gonna go out and start getting some shoes/coats today.

For a visual: These are the boots. This child is homeless and in kindergarten. No socks. Shoes falling apart. 20 minutes away from my house.
He cried tears of joy and was so excited when I gave him a new pair of shoes. Things like this put everything into perspective.

Approaching $2500 for the kids! This is gonna be awesome.

Going to buy the first round of shoes/socks and coats now! Feels great to give back.

First wave of funds transferred. First batch of clothes and shoes purchased.
I am the Kohl’s coupon queen. Got $2500 worth of coats and shoes for $1000.
We have over $1700 leftover for Christmas presents. Also going to get a bunch of Publix gift cards for the needy families!

38 jackets, 32 pairs of joggers/leggings, 5 pairs of sneakers in this batch. More to come.

23 more coats and 15 more pairs of shoes in this batch!
61 coats plus 20 shoes total.
$930 spent, brings the total to $1930 spent total. Still have ~$800 for Christmas presents and gift cards.

I had some people suggest to me to have a used coat drive. That’s a nice gesture and all, but it’s the holidays. Most of the shoes and clothes these children receive are old hand-me-downs.
They deserve something brand new.
They deserve name-brand shoes.

I’ll be distributing the gifts on Friday. Still accepting donations. Clothing and shoe run is done. Gonna hit up Five Below tonight for some cool presents!

Okay so I went a little overboard

Any other donations that come in will be used towards Publix gift cards for families in need. You guys are amazing. Thank you for allowing me to do this.

What a whirlwind couple of days. Feeling so grateful. Love you guys!

Got a couple more donations that came in. I’ll be grabbing some more things tomorrow. Toys, books, gift cards, etc.
Venmo: Erika-Imburgio
Cashapp: $emesola

That’s a big F-150 and the back is FILLED. $3000 worth of coats, shoes and toys for children in need at Catalina Elementary in Orlando.
Still have donations flowing in...it’s still not too late to chip in!

$300 going toward Publix gift cards ($50 increments).
I’ll be buying books with the rest, and chipping in some more myself.

Another $500 just poured in. More Publix gift cards and books for the kids and their families!

Organizing the toys now!

Started to distribute some jackets for the ESE students today (in private), because I don’t want them to be overwhelmed at the drive tomorrow. We’re creating gift bags for children today and distributing tomorrow. Still not too late to donate!

Spent the entire day wrapping gifts. So many kids will have their Christmas made...all because of you! I’m making a last-minute gift run tonight. Couple of bigger kids need adult sized shoes.
Can’t wait for tomorrow!

Also: Shout out to my little man for helping load up the truck at 5 this morning. He’s 3 and was so excited to help “all the little boys and girls who need presents”

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