We are so grateful to the hundreds of supporters who responded to this letter that Mom Mail founder Annette Coffee posted on her popular Oak Park listserv on March 1:
Years ago, when I moved to Oak Park from Denver, Robin S. took time out of her day to sit down with me and give a new mom in between jobs information on what kinds of things I could do with my son around town. I will forever be grateful for that small gesture. Inspired, I have taken time out of every day for 6+ years to send out Mom Mail in the hopes that it’s helpful to others. Now I’m asking you to take time out for a small gesture of kindness that will make a dream come true for area middle school kids.
Please help in sending Oak Park middle school VEX Robotics champions to Nationals! Can you give $2 to help make the dreams of 12 middle school aspiring engineers come true?
On February 11, an alliance of three Oak Park District 97 Julian and Brooks Middle School teams WON the Great Lakes – Midwest – Illinois VEX Robotics Championship, sweeping a field of 36 mostly high school area teams. Our local kids qualified to compete in the 2012 U.S. National VEX Robotics Championship in Omaha, Nebraska, March 15-17.
To get to Omaha, the non-profit Oak Park Education Foundation (which runs Oak Park’s VEX Robotics program) needs to raise $3,500. If you and other Mom Mail subscribers each give a $2, tax-deductible donation to the Oak Park Education Foundation, the students would be well on their way. Even $1 would make a big difference if we ALL gave $1.
To make a contribution go to www.opef.org/donatenow. Or mail a check payable to “OPEF” to the Oak Park Education Foundation, 970 Madison Street, Oak Park IL 60302 (write “VEX Robotics” in the memo line). For more information on the big win, photos of VEX Robotics in action, and the Oak Park Education Foundation, go to www.opef.org.
The Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF) is a privately funded, non-profit organization bringing experts into K-8th grade classrooms to work hands-on with District 97 students and teachers. In addition to VEX Robotics, OPEF runs Architecture Adventure, LEGO-based Geared Up, Science Alliance, Art Start and summer BASE Camp.
Thank you!
Annette Coffee
Read more about our middle school Vex Robotics teams, who head to the Vex National Championship in Omaha, Nebraska on March 15!