Step One Fundraiser Helps Students Learn Life Lessons
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Step One Fundraiser Helps Students Learn Life Lessons
By David [email protected]
Dina Rodgers recently experienced two such miracles, one in part because of the Step One students at Warsaw Community High School and an AT&T grant.
In July 2003, Dina’s husband, Jason, died in a motorcycle accident. He left not only Dina behind, but also their two children.
Then Dina discovered she had Stage 4 breast cancer, and the cancer spread to her spine and hip.
Dina is a good friend of WCHS paraprofessional Donata Grimm, who shared Dina’s story with the Step One students.
Step One is a program at the high school for students at risk of not reaching their full potential. The program works to help the students achieve what they are capable of achieving.
According to Step One teacher Jeanne McCormack, a lot of her Step One students knew Dina’s kids, and McCormack had Dina in school. The story became personal to the students and they wanted to help Dina and her family. Grimm said the Step One kids bonded with Dina and her story when they saw Grimm’s concern for her friend.
Many kids in Step One hadn’t learned empathy before, McCormack said, so Dina’s story provided an opportunity for the students to learn.
In October, AT&T had given the Step One program a $5,000 grant to improve children’s lives and their community.
McCormack said they took $100 of that AT&T grant for an investment to make snack jars to sell as a fundraiser for Dina. And that fundraiser grew. The Step One students, many who don’t have much money, began donating their own bags of candy for the cause. They helped personally make the snack jars on their own time. They even bought the snack jars themselves as gifts to help increase the fundraiser.
“I was so very impressed with the kids showing their heart and concern,” said Grimm.
McCormack said some of the boys took $10 out of their own wallets to support the cause, even though they didn’t have jobs.
Late Tuesday morning, Dina visited the Step One kids. She shared with them the first miracle – that she found out last week she was cancer free. It had gone into remission.
“I was hoping and I had so many prayers, and so many people pulling for me,” Dina said.
The last six months, she had undergone treatment, including chemotherapy. The treatments had left her either hospitalized or she had to go in for fluids on a weekly basis.
No matter how bad Dina felt, Grimm said, she always kept a smile and a positive attitude. Dina said she hates feeling sick and doesn’t like people to make a fuss over her.
“I think it’s so amazing these kids are doing this,” Dina said.
Dina still has to undergo treatment, though it will be less severe. And the hospital bills are still rolling in. But she’s glad to be in remission and that her hair will grow out again.
Grimm said Dina told her she had to beat the cancer because of her kids, and dying wasn’t an option.
When Grimm and the Step One students presented Dina with a “check” for $800, it was her second miracle in a week. Dina not only shed tears of joy, but made sure to give each student a thankful hug.
By taking that $100 of the $5,000 AT&T grant, and putting a little effort into it, the Step One students made it grow into a miracle, Grimm said.
“It gave the kids a perspective on life on how they can contribute to life without having a lot. I never dreamed we could do this well,” McCormack said.
“It was crazy,” said sophomore Anthony Powell. “It felt good not only to give, but to see her get the check and all the tears. It was really touching.”
“I thought it was really amazing to see her happy,” agreed sophomore Tasha Graber.[[In-content Ad]]
Dina Rodgers recently experienced two such miracles, one in part because of the Step One students at Warsaw Community High School and an AT&T grant.
In July 2003, Dina’s husband, Jason, died in a motorcycle accident. He left not only Dina behind, but also their two children.
Then Dina discovered she had Stage 4 breast cancer, and the cancer spread to her spine and hip.
Dina is a good friend of WCHS paraprofessional Donata Grimm, who shared Dina’s story with the Step One students.
Step One is a program at the high school for students at risk of not reaching their full potential. The program works to help the students achieve what they are capable of achieving.
According to Step One teacher Jeanne McCormack, a lot of her Step One students knew Dina’s kids, and McCormack had Dina in school. The story became personal to the students and they wanted to help Dina and her family. Grimm said the Step One kids bonded with Dina and her story when they saw Grimm’s concern for her friend.
Many kids in Step One hadn’t learned empathy before, McCormack said, so Dina’s story provided an opportunity for the students to learn.
In October, AT&T had given the Step One program a $5,000 grant to improve children’s lives and their community.
McCormack said they took $100 of that AT&T grant for an investment to make snack jars to sell as a fundraiser for Dina. And that fundraiser grew. The Step One students, many who don’t have much money, began donating their own bags of candy for the cause. They helped personally make the snack jars on their own time. They even bought the snack jars themselves as gifts to help increase the fundraiser.
“I was so very impressed with the kids showing their heart and concern,” said Grimm.
McCormack said some of the boys took $10 out of their own wallets to support the cause, even though they didn’t have jobs.
Late Tuesday morning, Dina visited the Step One kids. She shared with them the first miracle – that she found out last week she was cancer free. It had gone into remission.
“I was hoping and I had so many prayers, and so many people pulling for me,” Dina said.
The last six months, she had undergone treatment, including chemotherapy. The treatments had left her either hospitalized or she had to go in for fluids on a weekly basis.
No matter how bad Dina felt, Grimm said, she always kept a smile and a positive attitude. Dina said she hates feeling sick and doesn’t like people to make a fuss over her.
“I think it’s so amazing these kids are doing this,” Dina said.
Dina still has to undergo treatment, though it will be less severe. And the hospital bills are still rolling in. But she’s glad to be in remission and that her hair will grow out again.
Grimm said Dina told her she had to beat the cancer because of her kids, and dying wasn’t an option.
When Grimm and the Step One students presented Dina with a “check” for $800, it was her second miracle in a week. Dina not only shed tears of joy, but made sure to give each student a thankful hug.
By taking that $100 of the $5,000 AT&T grant, and putting a little effort into it, the Step One students made it grow into a miracle, Grimm said.
“It gave the kids a perspective on life on how they can contribute to life without having a lot. I never dreamed we could do this well,” McCormack said.
“It was crazy,” said sophomore Anthony Powell. “It felt good not only to give, but to see her get the check and all the tears. It was really touching.”
“I thought it was really amazing to see her happy,” agreed sophomore Tasha Graber.[[In-content Ad]]
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