Help Heather raise money

   Many of you know that I have joined the Dover Race Series with the goal of running 10 races this year. This next race is an important one for me as I will be running for my two favorite places in this world, Seymour Osman Community Center (SOCC) and Woodman Park Elementary School. I am writing to ask you to consider donating  to SOCC.

   SOCC holds a very special place in my heart. I joined the program as a freshman in high school during a time in my life when I was struggling both socially and emotionally. It was here that I found caring adults who supported me and pushed me to challenge myself for the better. In addition to receiving homework help I gained community service experience and grew in my social skills. Through cooking I was taught appreciation for other cultures and by dressing up learned the proper etiquette for attending plays. 

   I was also encouraged to pursue my love of teaching and was given the chance to volunteer with their after-school program for elementary school students at Woodman Park.

   Fast forward about 15 years. I have now been working for SOCC for almost 7 years, and I could not imagine my life without it. The current after-school program is provided at Woodman Park School and serves a little over a hundred children, from kindergarten through 4th grade, many of whom face significant challenges, including poverty, unstable home life, and the academic and behavioral challenges that often follow. 

  SOCC is unique in the sense that we are not simply providing childcare. Students in the program are daily provided with a healthy snack, academic support, and the opportunity to participate in enrichment programs. By donating you will be helping to keep the magic alive and allowing me to continue to give back to a community that gave so much to me many years ago.