Why are we raising money? We are raising money to purchase a copy of Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree for each 3rd grader at Oaklawn Language Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina (NC). In the state of North Carolina 3rd grade students
are requred to sit End of Grade Exams (EOGs) and it can be very stressful for students (and parents). In addition to the EOGs, the state of North Carolina has instituted the Read To Achieve legislation, which is a law that requires 3rd graders who score poorly
in reading on the EOG to be retained and not promoted to the 4th grade.
Since National Read Aloud Day falls on my birthday I wanted to gift each 3rd grader with one of my favorite childhood books. Through the teachers, there will be activities focused around the book to help prepare the children for the EOGs.
Why The Giving Tree you ask? The Giving Tree highlights that helping others isn't only possible through investing money. Every individual possesses valuable resources/talents that can be used to help others in their times of need or to improve
the lives of others. Through monthly service projects, my son and I use our talents and time to help others. Our hope is that this book will help to prompt a young generation with a community of giving attitude to help others.
