Uncharitable Charity

Edited to add:

Yes, I did rephrase some of the original content of this post.  It was written too hastily; I made some ignorant and poorly-worded statements; and I chose to remove those statements not out of cowardice or an attempt to “sweep my error under the rug,” but in an attempt to do no further harm.

I’m very openly admitting I spoke out of line, and I apologize to those of you who were offended. However, I do not appreciate being misquoted.  I never referenced a “conspiracy;” I chose the word “alliance,” which I stand by.  it takes very little effort and research to see that there is indeed a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” relationship going on between the voters supporting the top schools in the Kohl’s campaign.

That said…

This is my blog.  If you were offended, it is your prerogative to choose not to return to read further posts.  I will respect that.  I would ask of you the same courtesy to refrain from carrying on a conversation within the comments from the comfort and veil of anonymity.

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If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you probably remember this post about the F4 tornado that destroyed Jim’s alma mater in June.

As you may also know, Kohl’s Department Store is currently sponsoring a Kohl’s Cares campaign to provide a total of $10 million in funding to 20 schools nationwide.  For the first month that this campaign was running, Lake High School was in 1st place – and you can imagine the morale boost this was to our community.

However, in just the last week, we have seen Lake plummet from 1st to (as of the writing of this post) 17th.  17th.  Only 4 spots from becoming ineligible for a $500,000 piece of the generous Kohl’s pie.

How has this happened?  Well, from all appearances, it is due to an overwhelming tidal wave of recent votes for private and parochial schools.  Go ahead.  Click to the page of top schools, and see how long it takes you to find a public school.

Sigh.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit, the feelings I’m having are less than charitable, and totally not in keeping with the spirit in which Kohl’s is running this campaign.

But it’s really, really hard not to think, “But we need it MORE!”

Sure, any school can utilize and benefit from a free $500,000.  But I’d venture to say the other 19 schools in the top 20 are thinking of this money in terms of music and art and sports programs – not WALLS and ROOFS and PARKING LOTS and BUSES like Lake is.

So…..I’m begging.  Truly.

If you have a Facebook account, please go here.

And vote for Lake High School, Milbury, OH.  You can vote for Lake up to 5 times until Friday, Sept. 3.  And if you feel led (please!  feel led!), pass this news and link to your other friends and family who may not even be aware of this campaign.

Because I promise you, getting knocked out of the running for this HUGE blessing of funding will be merely adding insult to injury to a community already hurting.  After being in the lead for so long…well, let’s just say, we’re feeling a little bit like the little wimpy kid getting ganged up on by the big bullies.

Will you stick up for us?