Health & Sports: Reddit Gifts for the Teachers 2016

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Thank you so much for donating to Brogden Middle School. With supporters like you we can achieve our goals. We could not do it without donors like you. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our mission here at Brogden Middle School. Your gifts will work right away as we will be using them this season. Our kids will be forever grateful this year and many years to come. Our kids will be safe and in new equipment. We can finally get rid of our 20 year old shoulder pads. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Broadway

We want to sincerely thank you for your donation to our program. Your donation of the uniforms, corner flags, soccer balls and cones have been in use every season since your donation. It is such a honor for the girls to be playing for their school and I get to see that excitement and honor every year girls choose their uniform for the season.

Without your support, we would have to spend time fundraising rather than focusing on preparing for our season. We feel very fortunate to have such a supportive organization on campus.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Steiner

My swimmers were able to carry their items in sports bags instead of plastic bags. It really made a difference for them. It helped them with their self-confidence and they looked great walking in and out of meets. I know that the bags will continue to have an impact on the team for years to come. They will continue to be able to have the self-confidence they need walking into swim meets with their swimming gear. Again, thank you again for your support of this project and for the swimmers of Holmes High School”

With gratitude,

Ms. Winkler

We are humbled and grateful for the shoes that were purchased! My team was doubtful that we would be sponsored being from the south side of Chicago, but they weren't let down!

With these shoes, practices were safer, they looked ready and prepared for competitions and performances...those shoes made them confident, fierce and professional!

12 members graduated and will be donating their shoes to the next group of girls we pick in tryouts in the fall! Thank you again for this we love you all!!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Perkins

When we first received the yoga balls, the students couldn't believe that strangers bought them for them! They were so happy. It took a few weeks to get used to the balls (a few students rolled over), but after awhile it just became the norm!

The students loved having yoga balls all year. It kept them in their sits bouncing (but still paying attention to me)! It was an amazing resource.

The great news is I have the balls to use again for this year! What a gift! Thank you so much! My students are so grateful!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Frazier

This project has forever changed the lives of many. Growing up with ADD and other challenges, I didn't witness how simple changes and student choice empowered students to perform their best. This year was truly amazing! Who knew a few stools, some exercise balls, stretch bands, and student choice would change how I teach.

When the students initially saw the materials, they were excited because it was something different. After the initial shock, even the parents were commenting. There was less behavior problems in my class. Students knew they could choose where to learn.

There is a teacher evaluation standard that address positive environment of the classroom. The is an area where my class scored at the top. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming to all. The students that have difficulty sitting in desk and rows, thrived because of this project.

To continue, I will create a new project to expand and provide more flexible alternative seating because I have realized it is needed for the health, wellness, and success of my students.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Ellison

On behalf of SIHS football team we are beyond thankful for your consideration of generously supporting our needs. We are a very young football team and because you have given us these vital tools to start with the basic fundamentals of competing we are eagerly working very hard putting the equipment to use.

I would have loved to be able to capture the moment on their faces whenever they saw what NEW tools they finally were able to start working with. The locker room was RE-ENERGIZED with NEW HOPE for a better season! UNBELIEVABLE EXCITEMENT & NEW EXPECTATIONS were overflowing that day & still today! The team saw that donors, who don't even know them personally ACTUALLY CARES for them! Donors that gave, gave more than material needs, but also gave our team a new view of the heart that football supporters still have for them. Donors have lead by example by, showing them that one day they too can give back for those who are less fortunate.

The next goal is a current 5-man sled at $6,755.00, our current one is from 1980's, duct taped & falling apart. We are doing all we can to try to do fundraisers however it's not near enough, fast enough. We need of helmets, (safety is a must) shoulder pads, current strength equipment vs. the current hand-made from the Ag students in 1970's. Then maybe new matching cleats. We are truly starting the program from the ground up, back dated from 1970's & 80's! We are beyond thankful for your support & possible future support!”

With gratitude,

Mr. Krause

Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our soccer team. Sharing equipment with the boys' teams, who play in the Fall, means that by the times Spring comes around for girls soccer, we are left with damaged equipment, or no equipment at all. This year, however, through your donations, we were able to get our own equipment! This meant enough soccer balls for every player to have to one during practice, which vastly improved the quality of our practices and play. It also meant nets for shooting drills, cones for agility drills, and ball bags for away games. Our athletes were able to really develop with the help of this equipment, and it made life so much easier for Maria and I. Happy coaches = less yelling = fewer laps. Everyone's a winner!

Thanks again for supporting our student athletes!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Frate

Words can not truly express how much your donation meant to the soccer program at Bradwell Institute. The portable goal helped our program in several ways. First, it was much more efficient. In years past we had full size soccer goals which would take approximately seven players to move. Everyday we would move the old practice goals on and off the practice field. The portable goals we were able to get because of your donations only requires two players to move the goal. Secondly, the portable goals has helped to train our goal keepers. It is extremely important for keepers to train using a full size soccer goal. Our keepers were able to better understand how to cut off angles and make the goal smaller for the opponent to score in. They were also able to use the goal to practice setting up walls for free kicks right outside the eighteen yard box. Thirdly, the portable goals has helped us to become better technically sound finishers. Due to the efficiency of the goals my attackers were able to complete more finishing drills. They were able to take the goal to a smaller area of the practice field to work on scoring goals while I worked on other technical or tactical skills with the rest of the team. Again, thank you so much for investing in the life of student athletes. Our program has truly gotten better because of your willingness to give. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Oglesby