The RAK kids have created a hand-in-hand chain to demonstrate our commitment to friendship, encouragement, and cooperation in the Middle School.  Each Middle school student is represented by a personalized hand, linked with the others to create a chain that wraps down two hallways.  Each time we see it, we remember that we're all on the same team!!!

 

 

 

 

 

  

      We collect hotel-size toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotions, dental care products, etc. along with gently used linens for assembly in care packages distributed to individuals at Diakonia - our local shelter. So far the kids have donated over 200 care bags with cards!  See photos below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

      We are involved with several on-going projects to support our US troops. We have adopted 20 long-term care wounded troops to whom we write and send goodies each week; and we send get 10 new well cards to short term care soldiers each week. In addition, we are penpals with some of the children of wounded troops. So far, we've sent over 500 cards and letters!  (see photos below) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   We also sold our Halloween candy to raise money for a special Christmas gift to a wounded soldiers' family of 7!  The Liska family's youngest daughter's wish was for their own Christmas tree - a wish RAK made come true by raising over $100 for the family!  (See photos)

 

 

   Other soldiers have corresponded with us, thanking us for our gifts.  Here are some of our HERO penpals.  (see photos below)

 

 

 

 

 

          RAK kids collected $300.00 in loose change - the cost of two llamas for a village in Peru!  The recipients of the llamas will use the wool for clothing, the dung for fertilizer, the animal for carrying goods, and then they will breed it to provide another llama for their neighbors.  They call it "passing the gift".  We like that idea!