1. “One Voice, One Message”

2.  In the last year of his life, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference organized the Poor People’s Campaign, a movement to end poverty and promote economic justice for all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender.

3.  In 1968, they drafted a statement given to members of the U.S. government and publicly demanded an economic and social bill of rights to help citizens obtain jobs, income, education, and housing, among other items.

4.  A lack of education can contribute to poverty where as an increased access to education can lead to economic prosperity not only for individuals, but also for an entire community.

5.  “Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The Purpose of Education”

6.  The Ambassadors of “One Voice, One Message” worked together with school administrators to survey the local communities regarding their needs.  After much research, it was determined that school supplies, hats, gloves, and pajamas were among some of the highest items in demand for those in need.  This is why we have asked the students of Bellmore-Merrick to collect these items for the past month.

7.  By donating, you have gone above and beyond the call to help those in need. This is especially true during the holiday season but also beyond.  While you may think that receiving these articles of clothing is not a big deal, for certain individuals it will make their winter much more bearable.

8.  Rosa Parks Inn  Bethany House  Rock and Wrap it Up  Little Flower  Head Start  Momma’s House  Schools in the Bellmores and the Merricks

9. The INN offers five services:  Soup Kitchens: The INN currently operates 14 soup kitchens in 21 locations across Long Island.  Emergency Housing: The INN operates three emergency housing shelters.  Long-Term Housing: The INN is able to provide families with homes and resources in order to reach goals of self-sufficiency and independence.  Veteran Housing: The INN aids veterans experiencing homelessness by working with local veteran support groups.  Supportive Services: The INN also supplies Long Islanders with counseling and case management, tenancy and home management, and educational tutoring for children and parents as well as vocational training.

10.  Bethany House is an organization that works to address the changing needs of the homeless community here in Nassau County.  The need for emergency and transitional housing and services for families has never been so great.  Due to the economy, Bethany has been called upon to open its doors wider and wider in response to the pressing needs of homeless families.  In the past three years, they have grown more than 400%, from a bed capacity of seventeen to that of eighty-five nightly.

11.  Rock and Wrap it Up! is a non-profit, independent anti-poverty think tank that is based in New York.  They work with partners across the country to develop solutions that address the issues of hunger and poverty in America.  They work to increase financial assets available to fight poverty by identifying new revenue streams.  They started by recovering food that was prepared, but not served, from venues like Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.  Rock and Wrap it Up! has expanded its work to include partnerships with sports franchises across America as well as schools and now hotels.

12.  Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York transforms caring into action to deliver services, programs and direction to improve the lives of children in crisis, families, and the developmentally disabled.

13.  MOMMAS is a home for young mothers aged 18 to 23 years and their babies. For approximately two years, the young mothers at MOMMAS House continue education or vocational experience interrupted by pregnancy. With guidance and direction, the young mothers can learn to support themselves and their children independently.

14.  The Head Start Early Childhood Development Program offers a variety of services to preschoolers three to five years old and their families. They provide children with a place to learn through play. Trained personnel supervise the classes of 16 to 17 children. The program consists of activities in art, language, math and science in a friendly, warm atmosphere. Nutrition, health, social services, and psychological/speech therapy services are provided. Children with disabilities are welcomed at Head Start programs.

15.  We will be redistributing some of the supplies we collected to families in need within our own district as well as our component districts. Bellmore- Merrick CHSD North Bellmore Elementary Merrick Elementary North Merrick Elementary Bellmore Elementary

16.  Contents of bag  Size and color of each item  Indicate if it is for a child or an adult

17.  “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” -Martin Luther King Jr. Please accept this gift on behalf of the students of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

18.  If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. -Martin Luther King Jr. Please accept this gift on behalf of the students of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD

19.  “No person has the right to rain on your dreams.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Please accept this gift on behalf of the students of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD  “The time is always right to do what is right.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Please accept this gift on behalf of the students of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD