Removing Barriers through Crayons To Computers

Kevin & Kristen Johnson

This story of giving is from Kevin & Kristen Johnson

When our family opened up a check for $250, we were excited to do good right away, but struggled to agree on the right recipient. We wanted to find a local charitable cause… but had differing opinions from there. Our youngest child and animal lover wanted to help homeless pets. Other ideas involved a local food pantry and a child literacy program, and then came Hurricane Dorian… all worthy causes. Finally, we arrived at a consensus and allocated the check to Crayons to Computers (crayons2computers.org). This organization donated over $8 Million in school supplies last year through their Teacher Free Store on Tennessee Avenue where teachers near Cincinnati, including those from Taft Elementary, can come shop for free school supplies. We knew that for every $1 we donated, it creates $10 worth of school supplies and that last year alone the supplies supported over 2300 teacher shopping visits. With a 3rd & 6th grader in the house, we could all rally around reducing barriers which prevent kids from learning, and helping motivated teachers spark a passion for learning. To create a compounding effect, our family matched the GSLC donation, and submitted for “company matching funds” to essentially quadruple the impact on Crayons to Computers. Due to safety regulations in their warehouse environment, our kids were unable to physically participate in volunteer day at C2C, but they came up with another idea… making baked goods which they will deliver and personally thank the volunteers at Crayons to Computers. A final note about this charity, tying in with the recent sermon on the 10th leper (or perhaps “former-leper”)… the one who came back to thank and praise Jesus after being healed. We have been blessed to donate to C2C before, and were amazed by the number of thank-you notes which come back from teachers and students alike. Not trying to compare a mere cash donation to divine healing, but it warms the heart to read a hand-written note of thanks from a child who might otherwise not have the paper or pencil to write it.

Crayons 2 Computers