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Hey, everyone! It's that time of year again. Actually, it's a few months early because I usually do this in December!

But since we are going through what can be confidently called THE worst literacy crisis in the US since people were required by law to go to school, I thought starting up my Crayola school supply drive early (and keeping it going indefinitely) was a pretty good Idea.

Every year I set aside time to stream a video game, and make some money for Florida kids- helping to get them backpacks full of school supplies to help ease the burden on their families, and hopefully help them have one less thing to worry about in school.

I grew up in a trailer park, going to a private gifted school with kids whose parents lived in mansions. I was able to attend because my grades helped me apply for a scholarship that covered my $600 tuition (in the 90s!). We didn't have the money for my school supplies most of the time, and my grandmother had to take office supplies from her work so I would have paper and pencils. She also volunteered at our church charity office, and she'd get me clothes and whatever else she could find. One year I was the weird kid with a roly suitcase because she couldn't get me a backpack.

Because of this I have always looked for ways to help make things better for other kids that struggle. I am in so way rich, so I have always tried to find creative ways to help. I grew up in the charity office, working alongside my grandma. Feeling pride in helping others.

But this is not something I can do on my own, and community is the best way we can uplift each other in times of need.

Please help me help children who deserve to learn. This is a fight for the literacy and education of our most vulnerable and valuable.

My goal is to fill a backpack with educational supplies, maybe some snacks, and a fun book. I will take what I can get. In past years this has averaged out to $25 a child, but prices have risen and it's almost double that now. In an effort to make this easier, I have made an Amazon wishlist with the necessary items. One of them is a full set of supplies with Crayola products, which would immediately go into a backpack. The way it is set up, you can add anything else you like, as well.

I do not donate to one source. I have many friends who are teachers and work with kids. In an effort to be transparent, I always document everything I do and I am as transparent as possible without violating a child's privacy.

I am just a person trying to help others. I'm not special. I am not a business or a charity. But I don't have to be. I will be using BMC as a way to crowdsource funds for supplies as well, if you aren't able to buy anything outright. I appreciate anything anyone is willing to help me with.

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, I am more than happy to respond.

Thank you for supporting this endeavor. We have to work together to make things better.

-Kaylee

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Some of the first donations for our school supply drive!

School Supply Drive!

The Way of the Way: a series on the ethnography of Mandalorian history and culture