In November, Montview set a lofty goal of providing 35 families at Stedman Elementary with the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving meal, along with a $50 King Soopers card to purchase their turkey and fresh items. With only a week’s notice, Montview members donated enough meals and gift cards to share the love with not only those 35 families — but also another 25 families in the community as well. The Stedman community was incredibly grateful, and continues to be blown away by Montview’s support.

 

As Christmas approached, the Montview Deacons reached out to offer $5,000 to Stedman from their emergency fund. After talking with PTA President Kaitlin Parsons, our Mission Life Coordinator, Jen Seward, purchased $100 WalMart gift cards for 50 designated families and asked our members to drop off new books, crafts and games at the church as well. Once again, Montview’s response did not disappoint!

 

I went to Stedman with Jen and her husband, Chet, to deliver an SUV full of gifts, where we were met by Principal Michael Atkins, Kaitlin and her two children. The items were beautifully displayed on tables in the school gymnasium and families came to shop for their children the Friday before school closed for Christmas break. The Stedman community continues to be overwhelmed and so grateful for the Montview partnership. Principal Atkins, who grew up in the Park Hill neighborhood just a few blocks from Stedman, says he hopes to end the racial disparities he faced as a student. “I have the opportunity to do diversity right,” he adds. 

 

THANK YOU Montview for your generosity and care!

 

Barbara Hannon

Stedman Elementary Liaison for Montview’s Social Justice Ministry