Donation helps meet students’ needs

Kelsie Singleton, prekindergarten teacher assistant at B.H. Macon Elementary School, was working making a little extra money at a summer job where she struck up a conversation with an employee from Proof Coalition. This casual conversation in which Singleton shared her passion for her students and their need for supplies and uniforms led to a big donation for the school.

The donation came a week before school began. Proof Coalition, which has been working with Dallas ISD schools for 10 years, brought uniforms, clothes, school supplies, cleaning supplies, essential products for girls, and even socks. The items took up three long lunch tables, according to Singleton.

“I knew Proof Coalition was going to bless our school,” she said, “but I was surprised about everything that they brought. Just seeing all these men and women come in—it was very kind.”

Singleton said that she felt especially inspired to help the school nurse, who likes to keep spare clothes in her office in case of emergencies.

“Our little ones have accidents more often, so we keep clothes in the nurse’s office,” she said. “I was in there once a week, and the nurse would allow me to dig through the clothes.” 

Singleton learned those clothes come from donations, which inspired Singleton to find a way to contribute to the donation bin.

Principal Jennifer Husband said she was amazed when she found out what Singleton had pulled off. 

“Not every child has the chance to come with everything that they need, but it’s also our job here to give them what they need,” said Husband. “If they can come with it, that’s amazing, but if they can’t, it’s our responsibility to provide for them. The fact that we had clothes and extra supplies, it just sets us up to where no child fails.”

Singleton, who used to work as a nanny, enjoys advocating for children and hopes for the opportunity to do more of it in the classroom. She has even considered pursuing a legal career in education advocacy or becoming a guardian ad litem.

“I wish someone had advocated for me when I was a kid,” Singleton said. “All it takes is that one person to just say, ‘We can help out.’”

The Macon community, she said, is allowing her to make a difference and to live by the motto she set for herself: How can I give back today?

“If I’m not helping others, I don’t feel like I’m living,” Singleton said. “To see these kids light up and just get so excited and happy—nothing beats that.”