Moritz and I were invited to C.S. Porter Middle School
in Missoula to be part of a book report on Nose to Nose.
Mark Parmenter, a bright 8th grader had read the book
and invited us to join him for his presentation.
Mark is a persuasive young man and we agreed.
I mentioned the event to my friend Andy Pilara. Andy
asked, "How many students will there be?"
I thought a moment.
"I don't know, maybe 25 or 30."
Andy replied, "Give each one a signed book and send me
the bill."
"Thanks, Andy I'll do it."
By the time we arrived at C. S. Porter, Mark had
gathered both 8th grade classes. Fifty-nine books were
signed with Moritz' paw print, autographed, and made out
to each student.
Before going to the school Mark had also invited me to
lunch with his grandparents. During lunch he described
the financial crisis at the school. He had studied and
analyzed the school's budget and explained how it shaped
what the school could teach, and especially, what it
could no longer afford to provide.
I was shocked.
The following is Mark's letter of thanks to Andy.
Dear
Andy,
Thanks so much for your generosity to my peers.
A great person like you is what we need to help
this world become a better environment. I never
heard the news until the very end of our session
that you bought books for us, because Barry
wanted to surprise me. The talk went awesome,
the kids, including me had a very fun time.
Moritz and Barry were a hoot! Our school is
suffering from budget cuts so these acts of
kindness that you did for us are very important
to keep our spirits up! We don't have any money
for new balls on the playground, field trips,
and other necessities that make school a fun
experience! You and I are very fortunate to have
great friends like Barry and Moritz!
Mark Parmenter |
I followed up with an appointment with the school
principal to better understand what could be done to
help. She, too, was concerned about the budget cuts but
really did not have the time nor the experience to
consider a new model that would benefit the school... a
model that did not depend on the whims of the
legislature.
Certainly, it would be easy to have 10 local businesses
provide new balls and bats for the playground. But the
larger picture of having a continuing source of income
for desired programs was quite attractive. I suggested,
if a model could be built that worked, then it could be
duplicated throughout the city and perhaps the state.
We agreed this was worth considering and we will get
together again in August.
After the meeting, Moritz and I walked in the park. I
looked at him and wondered how many new doors he has
opened. Moritz is a companion with a "world passport",
he is welcomed everywhere.
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