A Graduate's Unusual Request

As Lindsey Keck was preparing to graduate from Port Clinton High School this year, she made an unusual request. She asked that family and friends not give her personal gifts; instead she asked they donate school supplies! Most graduates don't want more school supplies. So why this request?

In April 2011, Lindsey had been one of eighteen persons on a work team at our Project Help facilities in Borel. The group was from the St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, OH where Lindsey's father, Dan Keck, is one of the pastors. Dan is a graduate of Winebrenner Theological Seminary and took an independent study course in Haiti with CCM Director Don Dennison in 2005. When members of the St.John congregation expressed interest in sending a missions team somewhere, Dan inquired about Haiti through the CGGC office, because he had a great experience on his previous trip. The St.John team was able to work on projects at Borel as well as visit Lutheran ministries closer to the capital of Port-au-Prince. But Lindsey never forgot the Haitian children she encountered last year.

This Tuesday, July 3, Lindsey and her mother, Chris, brought to our office the school supplies she received as her graduation gift. There were backpacks, pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, paper, rulers, rubber bands, sharpeners, crayons, chalk, personal chalkpads, folders, and more. 202 pounds of supplies!!! These will certainly be a blessing to our school children in Haiti.

Lindsey is headed for NYU this fall to major in their Global Liberal Studies Program. We think God has something special in mind for her in the future. His love and generosity has already been evident through this young life.

Thanks, Lindsey! And thanks to Dan and Chris for your inspiration to youth who are already making a difference!