Change for China!!!

Back in December 2005, Julee's awesome 5th grade class at St. Francis decided to start a collection of all their change after hearing stories about the adoption of Julee's little sister. They named the project "Change for China." They used a 2-liter soda bottle to collect the change at first, but soon that was too small to hold all their contributions. Lots of loose change and bills would arrive each week, mostly with no fanfare! Word spread and other students and parents chipped in too! I know in the "Johnson" household, we contributed to this cause by collecting monetary fines for bad table manners, large burps and sassy, smart alec responses. Even Garrett, Lydia and Julee had to chip in a few times!?!!? No seriously, it was mostly the kids who had to fork over their fines...really, I mean it!!! And Baka had some leftover quarters from his Keep-Only-The-Needed-States quarters game that he chipped in as well.

Well, on June 2nd, 2006, at the final school assembly, the principal, Dr. Rockers, surprised me by calling me to the front of the whole school and he had the 5th grade class officers present me with a check from them for...... $115.11!

I am amazed and so proud! I will buy something big like a stroller for Chelsee's orphanage in their name. I'm telling ya, this group of kids is very special! And this project made Julee feel even more special! This is one amazing group of kids!! The whole school is behind us, we can feel their support all the time.

Thank you soo much St. Francis, Dr. Rockers, Mrs. Toth and all the 5th graders who I am sure would love to see their name in here:

Alex, Anna, Ashley, Bobby, Caroline, Chase, Chris, Danny "Frederick", Daniel, Emily, Elizabeth, Evan, Francesca, Jack, Jason, Julee, Katheryn, Kevin, Kyle, Maggie, Meg, Mia, Taylor and Zack