CBS4 News Takes Center Stage
Aug 13, 2009 3:52 pm US/Eastern
N4N Gets Kids Back On Track For Back To School
Neighbors4Neighbors: 305-597-4404
Nicole Maristany
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
With the first day of school around the corner, students aren't the only ones feeling nervous-–something that 13-year-old Lionel Slaughter has noticed.
"School hasn't really started yet, but there has been a lot of tension in the air about it," said Lionel.
"There were things I needed to get for the school year for Lionel, and if I could get a little help, it would be good for me," said his grandmother Beverly West. She has primary custody of Lionel, explaining, "I've gone from grandmother to mother, and it's not an easy transition."
Beverly is also recently retired and fought congestive heart failure last year. The mounting medical bills, caring for her grandson, and herself have made it hard to buy Lionel school supplies and clothing. So she reached out for help.
"Well, I get on my knees first, and after I get on my knees I go to my telephone," said Beverly. The call she made was to Neighbors 4 Neighbors, and Neighbors brought Beverly and Lionel to Neat Stuff, a non-profit organization that provides brand new clothing for kids in need. Lionel picked out pants, shirts, underwear, socks and a backpack.
Neat Stuff Executive Director Franklin Monjarrez describes what that means for the children they serve.
"These brand new school uniforms are going to help Lionel level that gap, he's going to look just like every other child in school that day," said Monjarrez.
That same day was also Lionel's birthday and he received one of the best birthday surprises ever, when Neighbors 4 Neighbors presented his Grandmother with $100 in Publix gift cards.
And although the gift cards were meant to make things easier for grandma, we could tell Lionel was excited about them too when he said, "I don't have to worry about eating dinner tonight, I don't have to worry about school supplies."
To which Grandma added, "It may not be Christmas time, but Joy! Joy to the world!"
You can sponsor a student like Lionel through the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Back to School campaign by calling 305-597-4404 or making a donation at www.neighbors4neighbors.org.
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