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Dandelion Moms Project Kindness :: Helping an Autism Center

 

Dandelion Moms Project Kindness was created in order to support local, national and even worldwide organizations.  A few years back our community sent a small town in the Dominican Republic over 250 books so they could open up a town library.  Together, we helped raised over 300 Project Night Night tote bags that were given out to children in shelters across the country and supported the #LikeAGirl campaign that empowers young girls.  These are just some of the organizations that that our community has helped and it is something that is dear to my heart.  This month I was asked by a long-time dandelion mom if our community could help their local autism center located in Ohio with much needed supplies and such after the exiting director took many of the items in the center with them leaving a very brick and mortar existence for these children and staff.

 

Please read her story and see if you can help them in any way.  Thank you for being such a wonderful and powerful group of women!

 

Here is her letter to us:

 

As some may know, my son, who has Autism, attends an Autism center located here in Richland County, Ohio. The center, Heartland Academy, has been a huge blessing to not only us, but for roughly 40 children since it’s opening for the 2017-2018 school year.

Well some of that has changed, and the upcoming school year, as well as the current summer program has seen some pretty tragic things arise that stands to leave our kiddos without some of the items that the staff and students use as not only “rewards” but basic supplies for different things.

 

 

Heartland Academy when they opened had a director and staffing company that we all had grown to trust, and had faith in. Well as of the end of June, they had left the Academy to start a new venture; which we as parents and staff members learned came with a cost. The director and staffing company removed many items from the center that were; donated by private donors, corporate donations, and personally purchased items that staff had spent their own hard earned money on for these kiddos who generally come from very low income homes.

The items that were removed was everything from activity books, art supplies to reading books and everything in between. The total loss is well over $5,000. While the owner of the center is pursuing criminal charges against the former director and the staffing company, this leaves these kiddos and staff without until something can be done legally.

So here is where I come in. I, as a parent of one of these kiddos, and friend of several staff members, am asking for help. I would love to see the light brought back to not only the staff’s eyes, but the children as well. We are accepting any donation, be it monetary or not, it would be a huge help to get these things recouped for the center that has done so much for the Autism community in the area.

 

Any books, little toys, art supplies, basic school supplies, heck anything at this point would be a Godsend.  

 

Paper

Constructive Paper

Scissors

Pencils

Colored Pencils

Pens

books

Tape

Small toys

 

The children ages range 3-17.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and any and all help would be greatly appreciated. ~ Megan D. 

So lovely dandelions!  Please look through any outgrown books or extra school supplies around the house. Or if you work at a company who might like to make a donation we can provide the information they might need.  Perhaps you are an artist and could provide some colorful artwork for the walls!  The staff will go through all the donations to make sure they are suitable for the environment but the basics are much needed.

 

Please email Megan directly and she can provide you with the address where to send the donations. Megan.j.dell@gmail.com.

 

Thank you so much for participating!  We will post pictures of any donations sent to them on our Facebook Page.

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Melissa Northway, M.S. is a mom, founder of dandelion moms, and a children’s book author. Her award-winning book Penelope the Purple Pirate was inspired by her little tomboy. Penelope is a modern-day Pippi Longstocking who teaches girls and boys the importance of having fun while at the same time teaching them to be kind and respectful of others and their differences. Dandelion moms was created for moms to share their stories and to inspire and be inspired! You can reach Melissa at: info@dandelionmoms.com and follow her @melissanorthway and @dandelionmoms. Check out her author web site at: www.melissanorthway.com, as she hands out loads of goodies from the treasure chest.

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