Many of you know that exactly one year ago, I lost my sweet Ruby to a five year battle with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My sweet friend Aileen at iTeach was her 4th grade teacher.
Throughout the last few years, Ruby’s parents have made us a part of their family. Ruby was an only child, so I consider it a special privilege to be counted as family. We have shared meals, tears, birthday parties, and many prayers. I don’t have children of my own, but Ruby left quite a mark on my heart the day she became a part of my classroom. You can read more of our story with Ruby here.
We recently learned that her parents were not able to afford a headstone for her grave. My heart hurts for them as they are struggling to pay off Ruby’s medical debts and keep up with their everyday bills. Aileen and I want to help give them the ability to give Ruby a proper “place for peace.” I know that it grieves them that her resting place is not complete.
When I reached out to my blogging friends, I was overwhelmed with their willingness to donate towards a fundraiser for Ruby. There have been several moments in the last week that I have found myself in tears over their generosity. So, like my sweet friends Alisha and Ashley, I’m organizing a fundraiser to help Ruby’s parents pay for a headstone so that she can have a proper resting place. I also have to take a moment to say a BIG thank you to Ashley for designing Ruby’s ribbon. She even created a set of them for free that anyone can use. She is amazing!
Here’s how this will work:
- You donate $20 via the PayPal button at the bottom of this post.
- Tell your friends, blog about it, and help spread the word.
- I will send YOU the bundled files within 72 hours (hopefully faster!) to the email attached to your PayPal account. If you want them sent to a different email address, please note it when you are checking out in the “message” box. You can also email me at thirdgradebookworm@gmail.com
- After the fundraiser is over, I will give all of the money raised (minus any PayPal fees) to Ruby’s parents. They will be able to purchase a headstone for our sweet girl.
The total value of the files donated to this fundraiser is just under $130! Each picture below will show you what individual bloggers and teacher-authors are donating. The button below each picture will take you to their blog or TpT store. Please stop in and show them some love for their generosity!
I still can’t believe how many sweet friends have pitched in to help.
If you’d like to donate, please remember the following:
- You must donate a minimum of $20 in order for me to send you the bundle of goodies.
- All donations are going through my PayPal account. PayPal has created a code that will tell me you have donated towards A Place for Peace. This helps me to keep all of the fundraiser funds separated and it makes it easier for me to verify your donations.
- I will use the email provided to me through PayPal to send you your goodies unless you send me a message at the bottom of your transaction or you email me directly at thirdgradebookworm@gmail.com
- This donation button will be active through May 1st. It may be taken down earlier if we reach our maximum donation.
- Once you donate, please give me 72 hours to send you the link to your goodies. If it has been longer than 72 hours, please contact me at thirdgradebookworm@gmail.com.
- Once the fundraiser is over, I will remove the donation button and give all of the funds to Ruby’s parents. I promise to let you know how much we raise and pass along any messages from Ruby’s parents.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me to give Ruby’s parents a gift of peace. Thank you for helping me to give back a little bit of the love they have shared with me in the last few years. No act of kindness is ever wasted.
~HoJo~ says
This is such an amazing thing you are doing for Ruby's parents. It's obvious she was a special girl. You are an amazing teacher and person for organizing this!
Teaching with TWitte says
Ruby was so lucky to have an amazing teacher like you in her life. Her family is very lucky to have an amazing person like you in their lives. Best of luck with this fundraiser, it is such a thoughtful idea! :o)
Tara
TeachingwithTWitte
Tracey Schimke says
This is so wonderful that you are doing this for Ruby's parents. Best of luck…I hope you receive enough…
Tracey
Third Grade All Stars
Third Grade Is The Place To Be says
Thank you so much for organizing this wonderful fundraiser. My ebay donation was the most satisfying and happiest PayPal transaction I have ever had!
Joanne
Visit me at Thord Grade Is The Place To Be
Third Grade Is The Place To Be says
Thank you so much for organizing this wonderful fundraiser. My ebay donation was the most satisfying and happiest PayPal transaction I have ever had!
Joanne
Visit me at Thord Grade Is The Place To Be
Charlene Sequeira says
I am so happy to get to know such caring people who think of others and try to make a difference in their lives. Thank you for doing this. I am glad to be able to donate to such a cause. I will definitely pass the word along.
Charlene/Diamond Mom
http://www.diamondmomstreasury.weebly.com/blog.html
Deb Thomas says
This is a very touching tribute to such a sweet and precious child. I am glad I could help with such a wonderful cause for the parent's memories.
Deb at Fabulously First
Anonymous says
Without a doubt, this is the best $20 I've ever spent. What a fantastic idea and I hope you surpass any expectations. What a blessing to be able to help. Thank you!
Angie
Busy Bees in Fourth Grade says
What a sweet and thoughtful thing to do for a student and her family. I know that you will be successful.
Anonymous says
What a blessing to donate to such a special cause. God bless you and Ruby's family abundantly.
Adriana Berry says
I will be donating! Thanks for being a light to the family. May God Bless you! And what a great way for teachers to help others!
Shanon Banks says
What a wonderful thing you are doing! A family friend lost her soon to Leukemia last year so this hits very close to home for me. I will be making a donation to this family tomorrow (when I'm not using my work computer). I'm also a Georgia teacher, so if you ever need anything for this family please let me know! I would love to help them in any way possible.
Shanon
http://tellsofatitle1teacher.blogspot.com/
Cindy says
What an AWESOME thing to do!! I hope you raise enough to cover the headstone and MORE!! :o) I did my part!
Cindy
ccfirstteacher@gmail.com
Diane H says
The product bundle is AMAZING! Thank you to all the wonderful TPT Sellers for donating your fantastic products to this worthy cause! Please continue to keep us updated.
Diane
Teaching With Moxie
Anonymous says
Great cause! I donated and did not hesitate! Ruby is looking down on you and smiling!
Sara says
I am honestly so touched that you are doing this. And the support of those in the blogging community – outstanding. I absolutely donated and am so proud to say that I support what you are doing! You go, girl. Ruby is definitely and always looking down & watching everything you do with a giant smile on her face. You are one sweet woman & I wish you luck in raising all the funds & more!
Sara
Miss V's Busy Bees
ventrellasara@gmail.com
Kim Broadhead says
What a beautiful act of love. This hit close to home for me. I have a 2nd grade student currently fighting the ALL battle. This inspires me to work harder to find ways to help the family of my sweet little boy!
Anonymous says
I have just donated and shared on Facebook. You are doing a wonderful thing! Looking forward to the resources, but even more so I hope we get to hear a happy update on this poor girls family. Lots of love to them from Australia.
Kerry-Lee (kl_tim@bigpond.com)
Mrs. Hamrac says
So excited to donate to a great cause! Please don't forget to update, I just know you are go.ing to reach your goal and what a surprise for Ruby's family! It feels so good to help others!
Melanie.
Mrs. Hamrac says
So excited to donate to a great cause! Please don't forget to update, I just know you are go.ing to reach your goal and what a surprise for Ruby's family! It feels so good to help others!
Melanie.
Sarah Paul says
I'm so happy to donate! What a wonderful thing to do. ๐
Sarah
Sarah's First Grade Snippets
Table Talk with C and C says
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. This post really hits him with me as I have been working very closely with my little 2nd grade student has been battling Leukemia for the past 2 years. I wish I would have found this post sooner to help donate! I hope you were able to raise enough money for the family to have a headstone. It's really quite a unique experience that we have this blogging community to connect with and get support from.
-Caitlin
Table Talk with C & C