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Madison Co. Students Gather Nearly 2M Crayons for Needy Kids

2024-12-10

Madison County, Alabama has witnessed an extraordinary act of kindness as students have come together to gather an astonishing nearly 2 million crayons for children in need. This remarkable initiative was organized by the Cyber Security Skills USA Team at the Madison County Career Technical Center. It is an integral part of a fruitful partnership between the team and the group “The Crayon Initiative”. The more than 1,500 pounds of crayons will be distributed to children in hospitals across the nation, bringing joy and color to their lives.

Student-driven Community Service

WAFF 48 News had the opportunity to speak with a dedicated Career Tech Center teacher, Kala Jo Grice-Dobbins. She emphasized that helping the community is at the core of their values, and children hold a special place in their hearts. When it came to choosing a community service project, this crayon drive was what the students brought to the table. They voted and decided to go with it because of their deep love for the project. Remarkably, 100 percent of her students actively participated and contributed their crayons. Grice-Dobbins also shared that the crayon donations came from not only the students but also from generous community members and five local Walmarts.

Organizational Details

The Cyber Security Skills USA Team at the Madison County Career Technical Center played a crucial role in coordinating this massive crayon drive. Their efforts demonstrate the power of teamwork and the willingness of young students to make a difference. The partnership with “The Crayon Initiative” added an extra layer of significance to the project, ensuring that the crayons would reach those in need. This drive is not just about collecting crayons; it's about creating a ripple effect of kindness and support within the community.

Impact on Hospitalized Children

The more than 1,500 pounds of crayons will have a profound impact on children in hospitals. These colorful tools will provide a source of entertainment and comfort during their stay. It allows them to express their creativity and imagination, which is especially important in a hospital setting. The act of giving crayons is a small gesture that can bring a big smile to a child's face and make their hospital experience a little more bearable. This drive is a testament to the power of community collaboration in making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Spreading Kindness Beyond Madison County

This crayon drive in Madison County is not just a local event; it has the potential to inspire similar initiatives in other communities. The success of this project shows that with a little effort and a lot of heart, significant change can be achieved. It serves as a model for other schools and organizations to follow, demonstrating the importance of community service and giving back. By gathering nearly 2 million crayons, Madison County students have set an example that will be remembered for years to come.

A college football player in Fort Bend County, Texas, recounts a distressing incident where he was not only embarrassed and humiliated but also had his car damaged. This ordeal began when he was simply driving back to school and encountered unexpected circumstances.

"Texas College Student's Traumatic Run-In with Law Enforcement"

Initial Encounter and Harassment

As 19-year-old Braylen Kizzee was on his way back to school, an unexpected situation unfolded. "I was just driving back to school and somebody just stopped in front of me and I just tried to swerve around them like any natural person would do that. And while I was trying to switch lanes another unmarked car just hit me from the side," he described. They hit him twice and ran him off the road.

When the college football player was pulled over, the traumatic experience continued. "They rolled down their windows and told me to put my hands up or they were going to blow my head off," he said. He was made to crawl over to the passenger side and then out of the car on his hands and knees about 30 feet away. Their guns were drawn out, and none of them had identified themselves.

Realization and Confusion

After the ordeal, it was a shock to Braylen when officials finally pulled his beanie hat off and realized he wasn't the man they wanted in connection with a string of ATM robberies out of Kentucky. "We look nothing alike. I mean I seen the picture of him. He has tattoos all over his neck. He’s 6′1, I’m about 5,9. I don’t have any tattoos as you can see, so I don’t know how they could’ve gotten us mixed up," he expressed his confusion.

Braylen's father, Byron Kizzee, who works in local law enforcement, is also confused as they had been staking Braylen out. "If you was watching him with binoculars like you say, then it’s obvious you seen it’s not your suspect," Byron said.

Aftermath and Trauma

Braylen was left with scrapes and bruises on his knees. His mother, who asked not to be identified, said, "The only thing that the US Marshals, the person that they were looking for and my son have in common, is that they were Black." After the six or so investigators' ordeal, they apologized and some followed him home to explain what happened. They also offered to pay for the damage to his vehicle.

"No amount of sorrys, apologies, could ever fix this, ever fix this. So fixing the car, repairing the car is the least of my worries. It’s about the life-long trauma," she added. Trauma that they are all now trying to heal from. "Law enforcement did not do their job. We all need therapy because of this. Any wrong move, this could’ve ended in such a bad way. But I thank God that we teach him to do the right thing," she further emphasized.

Braylen says he can't sleep at night and is fearing the three-hour drive back to school on Tuesday. The US Marshals Office says they are not commenting on the situation at this time but are still actively looking for the right fugitive in this area. Meanwhile, Braylen and his family want the officers involved to be held accountable.

Across the United States, a new breed of developers is embarking on a remarkable journey - crafting car-free neighborhoods from the ground up. Or, to be more precise, they are creating places where residents don't rely on their cars as much as their suburban counterparts. But the question remains: can these greenfield developments truly serve as a model for communities across the nation, or will they remain a rare and coveted luxury for those with the means to live at a human scale? Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Scott Snodgrass of Meristem Communities, whose latest development, Indigo, is bringing slow streets, hyper-local agriculture, and "mews" to suburban Houston. Along the way, we delve deeper into the concepts of "new suburbanism," childhood autonomy, and how a car-light lifestyle can be scaled.

"Redefining Suburban Living - Putting People First, Not Cars"

Genesis of Indigo

The genesis of Indigo is closely tied to the origin story of its developers. This is their inaugural project, and it all began with their other business, Agmenity. Here, they design, install, and operate farms for various entities such as other developers, neighborhoods, hospitals, and school districts. It was through this work that they began to observe the development process. Scott Snodgrass, a co-founder, had never considered himself an urbanist before. However, as he witnessed how master-planned communities were developed, he and his partner Clayton started asking a multitude of questions. Many of the decisions made regarding these new developments seemed to be based on short-term needs or were driven by lenders or equity partners, rather than what would make sense for the people living in the community. Their tagline, "What if places were designed for people, not cars, corporations, and capital?" inspired them to find a way to shift the emphasis back to people. They owned a 60-acre vegetable farm and realized it couldn't be expanded further. So, they decided to take their farm and build a neighborhood around it. This idea took shape in 2019 with initial ideation and became a reality in 2021 when Indigo was launched. Home builders have been delivering lots this year, and construction has been underway for a year and a half. The response has been overwhelming.

Significance in Suburban Houston

Suburban Houston is renowned for being one of the most car-centric places in the country, along with Phoenix and Atlanta. Clayton and Scott both grew up here and understand the impact cars have on our lives. It's not that they believe people will abandon cars altogether, but they recognize the need to address the issues caused by excessive car use. Environmental concerns are a major factor, with Houston experiencing more severe storms in recent decades. In the past decade alone, there have been three 500-year storms, which is a clear indication of climate change. By reducing vehicle miles traveled, they aim to create a more sustainable and livable environment. Manhattan serves as an example of a green city due to its density, public transit, and mixed-use development. In contrast, Houston's neighborhoods are often segregated, with retail centers often located far from homes. The street patterns and built walls make it difficult to walk or access amenities easily. By designing a different street layout, pedestrian mobility network, and mixed-use spaces, they hope to serve a wider range of people, including those who can't drive for health reasons or those who simply don't want to.

Challenges and Solutions

Integrating this community within a notoriously car-centric place presents several challenges. The traditional Houston suburban design framework focuses primarily on serving cars and large corporations, leaving out those who can't drive or don't want to. However, by reimagining the street layout and pedestrian mobility network, they can create a more inclusive environment. For example, by introducing slow streets and "mews" (narrow alleys for pedestrian and bicycle access), they can improve connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Hyper-local agriculture also plays a crucial role in reducing the need for long-distance food transportation and promoting a sense of community. By growing their own food on-site, residents can have access to fresh produce while also reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, by mixing different uses such as residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, they can create a more vibrant and walkable community. This not only benefits residents but also has a positive impact on the local economy. Through careful planning and design, they are working towards reducing car dependency and providing a better quality of life for all.