I’ve been trying to find the words all afternoon to describe the experiences of today. But I’m not sure how to put it into words that could make someone comprehend just how special it was.
Today we at Just Love & Kindness were joined by 120+ students from Pleasant Grove High School Hawks , Liberty-Eylau ISD, Texas High School, Arkansas High School, Hooks ISD, Genoa Central High School, Fouke High Panthers and Redwater ISD student councils. These students and administrators came together and packed 200 bags for the homeless and then were all gathered downtown for a tour of the Salvation Army, Randy Sams and Mission Texarkana. It was an eye opening experience for these kids to see life through a different lens from their everyday norm, hopefully to help them notice the students within their own school walls who live that reality daily.
I saw eyes opened and hearts touched among these youth today and it was an absolute magical experience to be apart of it. We challenged these students to reach out to one student who isn’t part of the “in crowd” and I had many come to me after and ask deeper questions. It was so evident in conversations had, expressions made and emotions shown that these student were touched today.
Thank you to Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, Outback Steakhouse, Raising Cane's Texarkana and Coca-Cola for the donations! Thank you to Arkansas High for allowing us the use of your beautiful facility, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and Miller County Sheriffs Office for showing up and participating and showing your support. Thank you to KTBS 3 News, TXK Today, Texarkana Gazette, KTAL NBC 6 and KSLA News 12 for showing up to help bring more awareness to our mission at JLK! Thank you to Capt. Gomez at The Salvation Army, Christina at Randy Sams Outreach Shelter and Mission Texarkana, Inc. for allowing us to show these kids your facility and helping us try to grow in the youth a spirit of humility, gratitude and community.
Written by: Britain Koller
