Guest Blogger: Sam's Mommy - How did this start?

Above: Sam, Max and Daniel in Mexico when they got their birthday books ...

I would like to share some of the back story of how this particular project started for Daniel and Sam.

In March of 2009, Daniel and his family went to Mexico to visit us (the Grimsley Family) and the Johnson Family. Both our families were living in Mexico at the time.

Max Johnson, Daniel and Sam turned 9 within the same time frame. We gave all three boys the Young Adult version of Three Cups of Tea, a book by Greg Mortenson. Greg's mission is to Promote Peace One School at a Time - you can learn more at http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

Last Fall, Greg Mortenson spoke in Dallas. Nancy, Daniel's mother, invited Sam and me to go listen to him speak. So the four of us went - it was so very inspirational. Daniel and Sam were energized by his messages for educating children (especially girls), increasing literacy and promoting peace. Sam and Daniel decided to start Pennies For Peace at Greenhill, www.penniesforpeace.org, to raise awareness and money for education in the remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pennies for Peace is Greg Mortenson's program for helping kids to help other kids.

Daniel and Sam had about a million ideas. After the holiday break, they approached Mr. Simpson (Head of Lower School) to present their thoughts for Pennies for Peace. They then met with Ms. Rosenberg (Director of Service Learning and Community Service)to talk with her Ms. Sealy and Ms. Flanagan (4th Grade Humanities, Co-Team Leaders.) Greenhill approved their project! Daniel and Sam were so happy and excited.

As the project was taking off, the earthquake in Haiti occurred. Greenhill and the boys decided to take their passion for helping the world and shift the beneficiary of their efforts to Haiti. Sam and Daniel as well as many, many other Greenhill students expressed true concern for Haiti and wanted a way to give to Haiti.

So here we are ... the volunteers will see ya in Carpool Tomorrow!

Below: Daniel & Sam getting their books signed by Greg Mortenson and getting copies for Greenhill's library.