greenLockers

What is greenLockers?

History (brief):

4 years ago I was working on my PhD at Notre Dame, I decided to go down to Back2Back in Mexico with Lifeline (now called Granger Student Ministries), Corey Mann mentioned to us that we needed to fill 40 suitcases full of school supplies to give away. I think that stressed us all out a little bit. . . that is a lot of pencils! However, I remember that night in my quiet time God telling me, with His great sense of humor. . . “40? . . . I am so much bigger than 40 suitcases”. In the coming days, I believe that God allowed me to remember back to my own school days, and specifically, the locker clean-out days at the end of every year. You know. . . . when there is a controlled dump of all of the contents of your locker into the nearest trashcan (which were located every 3 feet in the hallway). I simply thought. . . what if, . . . instead of throwing away everything, I provided different containers that the students could put new or slightly used school supplies and clothes into?? That was the beginning of greenLockers (it was called Trash to Treasure until this year).

Simple enough idea, I thought. It is a long story so let’s fast forward a bit. . . I was in two schools that first year (Clay High School first and then Discovery Middle School). Though I am forever grateful to Joy Laurent over at Clay . . .  it was a nightmare at the high school level – all of my boxes were destroyed with pop cans, and the custodial staff – literally – cussed me out, until they saw me cleaning all of the hallways myself . . . . side note. . . . I was literally, so discouraged that first day that I nearly gave up. . . that is, until someone cussed me out about how stupid of an idea this was. . . . well. . . that’s all it took for my competitive juices to go into overdrive. . . . . I decided right then in there that I was all in!!! . . . no way was I going to back down now!!   On the other hand. . . Discovery Middle School was a complete success. I received, with no advertising, and minimal effort, over 20 pillow boxes worth of materials (way more than 40 suitcases) that year.

During year two, I partnered with 5-star, Waste Management (who donated over 200 big trash totes for free), Feed The Children (used some of their warehouse space for free), and Granger Community Church (for sorting and distribution of collected materials – to The Crossing for example). In each 5-star school, I set up leadership teams of students that would be in charge of putting the totes in the hallways on the appropriate days as well as advertising by word of mouth. I focused on Middle schools due to the wide range of supplies (i.e., art supplies for little kids as well as notebooks and stuff for older kids), the respect of the students and teachers, and the already present influence of 5-star. I received over 6500 pounds of materials from those 5 schools – - an unbelievable success! Those supplies then went to a local alternative school, some ministries in Chicago, as well as Back2Back in Mexico.

Here is a picture of Corey and I unloading some more containers

good times - over 6500 pounds of supplies!

Last year (year 3), we were going to be in 9 schools (same as 5-star), but I had to leave to go out of town at the end of last May, and so the project did not go through.  That is why this year. . . .it is not all on me. . . in fact I am raising up a team right now that is going to be able to take this project to the next level

So where do we stand this year:

1. 5-star is in 11 schools. . . . we’ll be there too!

2. If you would like to get your school involved – please let me know – it’s very easy!!

3. I am now officially partnered with Entermission, which means that I have non-profit status. . . . . so yes. . . I know you are dying to donate . . . it can be a tax deduction. . . please let me know if you want to donate – time, materials, trucks, and/or finances

4. I am also partnering with Better World Books to help distribute the books that I received through greenLockers – in return a portion of their profit will be donated back into greenLockers. If you want to help with a book drive at your school or college for used novels or textbooks (college only) – to help fund greenLockers – please let me know!

5. I am currently trying to set up drives for people in St. Joseph county (except for Mishawaka) to donate their old recycling bins from Solid Waste Management – as they are changing over to the new big toters at the beginning of 2009, and they are not requiring you to turn them back in. I have been working with Solid Waste Management – and they have already gotten me started with some of their exra bins. . . . but I am going to need hundreds/thousands of these bins in order to be in all of the schools in the area – if you want to donate your container or organize a drive at your local school/neighborhood – please let me know

The vision:

Short-term: Run a successful campaign in 5-star schools – solidifying the role of the 5-star students, establish a reasonable and replicable drop-off/pick-up/storage system from a logistics perspective, and establish new avenues for distributing materials.

Long-term: I would like to be able to move into schools outside of 5-star with other eligible student/parent groups (NHS, PTA, etc…), and also move into some High schools – once the program is established in their associated/feeder middle schools (i.e., so the students know what to expect – more likely to respect the effort).

Dream-term: Not going to shy away from this. . . I don’t see any reason why this can’t someday be in every school in the country . . . . there is a great need nationally and internationally, and it costs very little money. . . seriously. . . if God wants it to happen. . . and I don’t screw up too badly (that’s a big “if”). . . it’s going to happen.

Mission slogan (still a work in progress):

Equipping students, moving the world forward

The Logo (or with black background?? - I am open to suggestions) ** this was showing up last night, but may not be displayed on some computers – sorry:

The Credit:

To the creator God who charged us to be responsible over His creation. . . . . what an honor! . . . . . . humbly, I come to play a small part . . . .

Why it works?

1. There is no extra pull on a school’s resources – financially or staff-wise.

2. Adults and children alike naturally want to help others, if it is at no cost to them.

3. It could help supplicate local school resources – especially in the inner-city.

4. It is easy for the student body to understand, and takes little to no extra effort on their part.

5. Participating in this project is not a risk to the student’s peer status.

6. Students are more likely to contribute when they see fellow students (5-star, NHS, etc…) leading the charge.

My prayer:

That others will experience God’s love through both the giving and receiving of these supplies. . . gifts that can help break cycles. . .give hope. . . enable them to no longer be ashamed. . . provide access to truth and discovery. . . .helping them . . . moving the world forward. . . .together as one. . .