Taken from: New York Christian Resource Center

America's Children Are Healing & Helping

Remember third grade? I dreaded Mrs. Bordeaux's old fashioned school when our class got in trouble. In September, Ms. Chellew's small third grade class in New Jersey had bigger worries. They were trying to figure out a way to help New York's rescue workers...

Children. They are our future and without them we have no future. Since September 11th children from all nationalities and religions have experienced fear and then positively reacted by bravely asking what they could do. Such is the case of Ms. Chellew's third grade class.

"My class has been quite concerned about the people in New York and they began a penny drive in school as their way of helping," wrote this dedicated teacher. "This group of students prays daily for the country and President Bush and our soldiers so this is a real way they can participate in the healing process."

Upon hearing WZZD of OBI's continued efforts in New York on her local radio station, she suggested they send their pennies to us. Here's their letter...

Dear Operation Blessing,

Our class had a penny drive called Pennies for Patriots. We raised $404.00.
Thank you for all the work you are doing in New York. Please use our money to help the rescue workers. We are praying very hard for you. God Bless You. God Bless the U.S.A.

Third Grade Glass, Lambs Road Academy
Sewell, NJ

The Lord Works Righteousness and Justice for all the oppressed. - Psalm 103:6

As children like these minister to adults, OBI continues to assist New York's children in this time of transition. "The children are the voiceless victims of the tragic events of 9-11," comments OBI's representative Rev. Jim Espositio. "We call on all our supporters to pray for the children everywhere. At Operation Blessing, we will put action to those prayers and touch as many hurting hearts as we can with the healing love of God in the days ahead."

Thousands of children are now learning to live without a parent or other loved one. Many others having seen the World Trade Center towers collapse, are having nightmares. This is one of the reasons it was so important a Manhattan based after school program called Generation X-cell continue after its' founder and primary donor left his job as a corporate attorney to coordinate relief efforts for the Ground Zero Clergy Taskforce. Operation Blessing provided a grant to stabilize the program. Founder Jeremy Del Rio shares, "We're looking forward to working with Operation Blessing on a long term basis." One of the many single mothers with numerous children was grateful also. She didn't have any other safe place for her four children while working.

After September 11th, another children's program called Dance for Joy was shut out of their rented building space near the World Trade Center. Having to move to Brooklyn, they lost business, and were having to prepare to make drastic cut backs in their outreach efforts. OBI was able to provide enough funding for them to regroup and rebuild. "May the Lord continue to bless you richly as you continue to bring help and relief to those affected by this horrible tragedy," wrote the studio's Angie Potter.

Much is to be done for America's children! This Thanksgiving, as in year's past, OBI is helping Here's Life Inner City Box of Love program with a financial grant and supplies from the Hunger Strike Force. They are tripling their production to 30,000 boxes. This will help families, many who have suffered financially and physically inclusive of workplace and residence by this tragedy, enjoy a blessed meal with dignity and joy.

Heed the President's call to all Americans, "to serve by bettering our communities and thereby, defy and defeat the terrorists" by helping Operation Blessing aid the innocent!