Way back in mid-February, I received an email that simply said, “I will be visiting your state this summer and am considering your organization to partner with for our service project. Please contact me at 972-xxx-xxxx.” Hmmm, Dallas, Texas? Being curious, I called. Even after talking with Diana Rodriguez, I was a bit doubtful. Now I'm so glad I followed up on the email — and here's why.
Diana sent me a letter with tons of information about her organization, the South Central Area Educational Office Professionals, and its local, state and national associations. She stated, “If your organization is selected, we would like to raise funds to help with your donation of dictionaries to third-grade students.”
The National Association of Educational Office Professionals is made up of office professionals serving in schools throughout the country, with a mission to provide desired training to members.This national nonprofit organization has regional areas and state chapters. Diana is the service project chair this year, which was why she was looking at websites in Boise and found us.
Though still somewhat doubtful, I let the Eagle/Garden City Rotary Club know about the offer. After the discussion, the club approved me partnering with Diana and her organization. Then, in the last week of April, it became official — we had been chosen by her group to receive the donation!
I heard nothing for a few weeks. Finally, in May, I was asked by our club for a ballpark amount of the donation so that we could figure what we needed to raise for the dictionaries. Diana said it would be at least $1,000; the previous year they had raised $1,200.
Well, last week, the National Association of Educational Office Professionals held its conference at Boise's Riverside Hotel. On Wednesday, July 17, club president Gretchen Brown and I went to the SCAEOP session and received a check for almost $1,500! They raise money by asking members to donate out of their pockets, so the check we received was quite special. What a group of generous people!
The next day, Diana and fellow SCAEOP member Darcy Blackstock were the featured speakers at our weekly club meeting, providing information and fun Texas swag. At the end of their presentation, Diana made an emotional statement about her work background and the good and bad times she has endured. After the economic downturn, the construction business she owns with her husband, AMG Construction, recovered and is now thriving. The company made a personal donation of over $500, also to our club's dictionary project, bringing the total gift to $2,000.Both women received a standing ovation for such generosity. Moved and inspired by their generosity, our club leadership gave the ladies Garth Brooks tickets that had been donated to our club. It's an understatement to say they were "over the moon," and I was able to join them at the concert.
Through this adventure that honestly seemed like a phishing scam at first, I have made a couple of wonderful new friends — and the third-grade students of area schools have new champions. Thank you so much, Diana, Darcy and the whole SCAEOP!