Teacher Mobilizes Students to Support Oxford Community

When news of the Oxford High School shooting reached my school in Canton, Michigan, it affected my students, myself, and my fellow teachers.

Just 50 miles away from the horrific scene, we were sad; we were angry; and we were scared. We also felt helpless and wanted to do something: a stuffed animal drive.

The idea stemmed from a ministry at Canton Preparatory High School (a small charter school): the Teddy Bear Project. 

Whenever students or staff members have experienced loss or need extra encouragement, their names are passed along to me, and I will put a new or gently-used stuffed animal in their locker or on their desk, accompanied by a card letting them know they are loved and supported. During virtual learning, this ministry hit the road with home drop offs, which also allowed me to see my students in person.

We began collecting stuffed animals for Oxford. At the end of our first three days, we had 87; however, by the end of the collection period (one-and-a-half weeks), we had 1,470! God blessed us with the use of social media and two of our local news stations who came to our school to interview me. Donations came from Oklahoma (where I grew up), the Red Cross, 7-Eleven, and members of our local community. Some brought one item, while others brought truck loads.

We were able to take them to Oxford in a truck that was donated for the day by Penske in Plymouth. Two of us drove to Oxford to deliver them to Oakland County Emergency/Relief services, where they will be passed out during a special social gathering for the kids at their local community center.

For us, it helped students and staff process this tragedy because it allowed us to show support, love, and compassion to others.

https://www.lakeunionherald.org/archive/articles/teacher-mobilizes-students-to-support-oxford-mich-community