Stardate 03.25.2026
The first bulk donor order is complete.
And it all started with a simple idea from a group of 4th and 5th grade students who wanted to help patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
They didn’t overthink it.
They didn’t wait for permission.
They held a bake sale.
The kids raised $300 on their own. Then Kiwanis stepped in and matched their effort, doubling the impact. From there, something special began to unfold.
Their advisor, Miss Joni—who also happens to be my accountability partner—shared an idea with them. She told the kids she knew a way to turn their donation into something meaningful for the patients: coloring books.
She reached out to me and asked if I could work the numbers based on their original $300.
The kids had already decided something important.
The matching funds would go toward buying food for the local food pantry.
Kids helping kids… in more ways than one.
Yesterday, they voted.
Fifty coloring books.
But they didn’t stop there.
One of my teammates at my day job, Derek, stepped in and donated all the crayons needed so each child receiving a book would have everything required to bring it to life.
Then the students added one more layer.
They decided to make 50 handmade bracelets to include with the books.
Not because they had to.
Because they wanted to.
I find myself sitting in awe of what is happening.
What began as a simple idea is now becoming something much bigger.
A movement.
Jesus teaches that whatever we do for the least of His children, we do for Him. And right now, these patients are being seen… by other children.
That matters.
More than we realize.
The kids have even expressed a desire to be part of delivering the coloring books to the hospital. Miss Joni will explore what’s possible, understanding that privacy matters and proper guidelines must be followed.
Even so, their hearts are in the right place.
And that’s where real change begins.
For me, this marks an important moment.
The hand-off is complete.
This is no longer just my project.
Others are carrying it now.
And they’re doing it beautifully.
During the month of May, all funds raised will be donated at my day job, where additional matching support will help extend the reach even further.
To these students… and to the advisors who guided them:
Thank you.
You didn’t just raise money.
You created something meaningful.
You reminded all of us what generosity looks like in its purest form.
You are my heroes.
I’m ringing my Clarence bell for each and every one of you.
May you live long and prosper. 🖖
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