What is "Bee" the Hope For Tomorrow?

During a time where we are experiencing unprecedented challenges as a nation, the Irving Schools Foundation has had to evolve as an organization to serve the “whole child” which has been incredibly overwhelming and stressful but something that we knew had to be done and something that we could not do without your support. Many of our families were on the cusp of not making it, but they were still able to provide “the basics” to their children. Now, due to the state of our nation, our families are experiencing so many new challenges as a result of job losses, and economic instability. We have seen many of our families fall into a situation that they never thought they would be in before.

A couple of months ago, on a day when I couldn’t get the thought of “how are we going to survive this as an organization?” out of my mind, I came across a quote from Albert Einstein that read: “Learn from Yesterday. Live for Today. Hope for the Future.” This quote struck a chord with me because we have learned so much from this pandemic and although it has been stressful, we are surviving, and we are so hopeful for our future…our children.

So, at this point, I move into hoping for the future…and this brings me to the story of the bumblebee. Many people have marveled at the anatomy of the bumblebee, who day in and day out defies physics and flies despite its wings being too small for its large body. Somehow, the incredible bumblebee defies the odds.

Much like the bumblebee, our students are defying the odds daily. When you look at where many of our children come from, and the struggles they are having to endure, they “shouldn’t” have the grades that they have, they “shouldn’t” be passing the AP exams that they are passing, and they “shouldn’t” be excelling and thriving academically. But they are. Our children know that education is the key to break the cycle of poverty.

So many of our children are struggling to learn and so many of our families are struggling to make ends meet. We need the help of our community because we simply cannot do this alone. Our children need clothing, shoes, food, and technology. But most of all, they need hope and that is what I am asking for today.

I am asking that you consider a donation to the Irving Schools Foundation to help us provide hope to our students for the future. To provide the means that they need right now to make sure that they can continue some semblance of normalcy. I realize times are tough right now for so many and therefore I am asking for any donation that you can make- any denomination makes a difference, and no donation is too small.

If you are not able to contribute financially, I would like to ask that you keep our children and our teachers in your thoughts and prayers because now more than ever, they need you.

Warmest regards,

Crystal Scanio, CFRE, CEFL

President and CEO

P.S. Speaking of bees, for any contribution over $150, we will send you a jar of honey (while supplies last)- locally produced at our Elise Walker Outdoor Learning Center (*not produced by the bumblebee…but rather it’s friendly relative, the honey bee). We are excited to share this with you as our thank you to you for making a difference and “bee-ing” the hope for the future.