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 At Pencils With Passion, our commitment to providing school supplies and support to underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic has been unwavering. Lilly, Tracy, Susie, Jeff, and Brooks, along with the incredible support of our team, recently undertook a heartwarming mission to make a difference in the lives of 500 school children. Here’s the incredible journey we embarked on and the impact it has had. 500 Backpacks, Countless Smiles Our team visited two schools, catering to children between preschool and fifth grade. We were armed with 500 backpacks, each carefully selected to meet the specific needs of each grade. This year, we were fortunate to receive detailed supply lists from the teachers, allowing us to provide the right tools for each child’s education journey. The excitement and joy on the faces of these children when they received their backpacks were truly priceless. Supporting the Upcoming School Year In addition to the backpacks, we also brought nearly 1,000 lbs worth of school supplies, ensuring that these young minds were well-equipped for the new school year that began on September 15th. Our mission is to remove barriers to education, and this support goes a long way in achieving that goal. Facing Challenges with Resilience While our mission brought smiles to many faces, it was not without its share of challenges. We learned that some of the children we had helped previously had been taken back to Haiti due to immigration issues. It was heart-wrenching news, and we are deeply concerned for these children’s future. However, we remain committed to working with the teachers and school administrators, as well as immigration officials, to ensure that other children who may face similar issues can continue their education. Expanding Our Reach Our dedication to making a difference doesn’t stop here. We are actively exploring the possibility of assisting a third school located in the mountains north of Santo Domingo, the capital. Our hope is to extend our support to this school in September 2024, making a lasting impact on the lives of even more children in need. Acknowledging Our Heroes We couldn’t have achieved all of this without the incredible efforts of our dedicated team members, Susie and York. Their invaluable contributions in communication, coordination, and delivery have been instrumental to our success. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their unwavering support. In addition, a significant part of our work involves sharing our journey with all of you. We’d also like to thank Grindaholik Media Group for developing our wonderful website and keeping you updated with our blogs and pictures to capture the essence of each of our visits, and we’re incredibly grateful for their dedication. Join Us in Making a Difference We invite you to visit our website and consider making a donation to help us gather school supplies and teaching materials for the 2024 school year. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of these children. We also welcome any used school supplies that you may want to drop off at our jewelry store; the address is available on our website. Get Involved If you’re interested in getting involved or planning a visit to the Dominican Republic, we would love to provide you with supplies to take with you for the schools. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can help shape the future of these children. In closing, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Pencils With Passion. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of these young students and give them the gift of education and hope. Thank you for being a part of our mission! Previous Next

Hey there, It’s Lilly Thomson, and I can’t wait to share some amazing news with you! In just a few weeks, Brooks, Susie, and my parents, along with some incredible volunteers, will be on a mission to spread love and learning in Veron, Dominican Republic. Picture this: Over 400 backpacks, filled to the brim with school supplies, are getting ready to make their way to our host schools, Celeste Faro and Colegio Christianos, where eager young minds in grades K through 6 are gearing up for a brand new school year. The excitement in the air is contagious, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it. Our goal is simple yet profound: we want to ensure that every child, especially those new to the school, has the tools they need to thrive in their education. Back in July, we had the honor of delivering fresh supplies and teaching materials to the amazing teachers who are shaping these young minds. But here’s the real magic: We’re not just about delivering supplies; we’re all about building connections and making the world a better place together. We’re teaming up with local charitable foundations in Bavaro, Punta Cana, D.R., that are supported by kind-hearted folks in the USA. This beautiful collaboration not only aims to reduce shipping costs and logistical hurdles but also explores opportunities to coordinate shipments of our heavy backpacks with essentials like clothes, building materials, food supplies, and much-needed church supplies. Imagine the impact we can make when we combine our efforts and reduce transportation costs compared to traditional air freight. We believe that when we work together, something truly special happens. Now, here’s where you can join us on this incredible journey: We’re passionate about our mission, and we could truly use your support. If you’d like to be a part of this incredible journey, please consider donating on our website, www.pencilswithpassion.com. We’ve set up a special donation option for BACKPACKS at just $25. Every contribution goes a long way in making a difference in these children’s lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. Stay tuned for updates after our trip in October, and let’s continue spreading the love of learning together. With gratitude and a heart full of hope, Lilly Thomson Previous Next

Today, Jeff and Brooks arrived in the Dominican Republic with an impressive haul of almost 250 pounds of school supplies. These supplies will be delivered to the supported schools on July 3, just in time for the upcoming academic year. But they won’t be alone in their efforts. Tracey, Lilly, Piper, Heather, and Carissa will be joining them, bringing an additional 350 pounds of school supplies. We are absolutely thrilled about our upcoming visit to Celeste Faro and Colegio Christianos on July 3. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Western Oaks School, Piedmont Public Schools, and our incredibly generous donors. Once again, they have played a vital role in making this endeavor a reality. The impact of these contributions cannot be overstated. When the school year begins in September, these children will be greeted with sufficient school supplies and teacher aids. This will undoubtedly enhance their educational experience and help create a better learning environment for them. The excitement among the children is bound to be palpable as they embark on this new academic journey. Together, let’s unlock the boundless potential within every child. With the power of education and the generosity of our supporters, we are building a brighter future for the students of the Dominican Republic. Join us on this incredible journey of empowerment and transformation, as we inspire minds, ignite dreams, and make a lasting impact. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Education is the key, and together, we hold the key to a better tomorrow. Previous Next

Pencils With Passion is delighted to share a story of compassion and generosity from our recent visit to the Pastora Colegio Cristiano’s School in Veron, Dominican Republic. Thanks to our dedicated donors, we have received an outpouring of generous contributions that will soon reach the eager hands of these deserving students. On June 1st, Marietta, accompanied by her beloved granddaughter, Susi, and York, visited the school to witness the transformative effects of our work firsthand. This visit not only brought smiles to the faces of the students, but also provided us with valuable insights into the school supplies that will be crucial for the upcoming summer. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Marietta for her unwavering dedication to our cause. Her support and involvement in empowering these young minds through education are truly commendable. With Marietta’s help and the support of our donors, we are committed to creating a brighter future for the children of Veron. We invite you to join Pencils With Passion in our mission to empower these children through education. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted learning experience for the students. Pencils With Passion’s recent visit to the Pastora Colegio Cristiano’s School in Veron, Dominican Republic, showcased the power of compassion and the difference it can make in the lives of young students. We again, extend our heartfelt thanks to Marietta and all our generous donors for their support in our mission. Let us come together to empower these children, create a brighter future, and make a lasting impact through education. Previous Next

We are pleased to announce that our daughter, Lilly Elise Thomson, will receive the Girl Scout GOLD Award at a ceremony in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday, May 13th, 2023. We are so proud of all of her Girl Scout accomplishments, but the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards are very special. With our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status now approved by the IRS, we look forward to growing the Pencils with Passion, Inc. program to help the neediest school children in the Dominican Republic with all of their school supplies. We appreciate all of Lilly’s supporters throughout the year and look forward to great things from Lilly and the Pencils with Passion mission. With much love,Jeff and Tracey Thomson Previous Next

On January 13, 2023 my Dad and Mom delivered 225 pounds of school supplies in 5 suitcases to Colegio Christiano in Veron. The teachers and 150 students were very excited and appreciative for the giant donation. Some of supplies were purchased with a great donation from Susie Ruell’s friends in Switzerland the T-360 team. Supplies included lined paper, pencils, rulers, markers, paints, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, glue sticks, 3ring paper folders, construction paper and coloring books. Quantities from 100 per set to over 500 pieces. WE greatly appreciate all and any financial donations and school supplies donations. Next trip June 2023.  LILLY THOMSON

My dad made another trip mid November 2022 to the Dominican Republic. He delivered around 200 pounds of school supplies to Celeste Faro, the school we are supporting in Veron.  – Lilly https://pencilswithpassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/VID-20221218-WA0007.mp4 Home This is a video of my dad and the teacher at the school going through some of the supplies he brought!

My family and I flew down to the Dominican Republic in July 2022 with 8 suitcases (around 50 pounds each). Each bag was filled with school supplies donated by Piedmont Public Schools and other individuals in the Oklahoma City area. My mom (Tracey) and I went to the school on August 3rd, and we delivered the supplies to Celeste Faro School in Veron, La Altagracia in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. The headmaster-teacher Estephany has over 160 students aged 5 to 16. They were overjoyed and very appreciative of the much needed supplies. We brought items such as lined paper, notebooks, folders, scissors, staplers, erasers, paint sets, glue sticks, binders, rulers, highlighters, etc. We even brought a new printer for the teacher. We got many big smiles and lots of pictures with the kids! Since school was not in session we did not expect many people to be there, but we had over 40 students and parents to meet us when we arrived. It was a very heartwarming and satisfying experience. Thank you so much to Susi and York, some of our BEST friends in the Dominican Republic, who drove us over to the school with a car load full of supplies. Susi has been instrumental in helping us find these impoverished schools in the Dominican. The non-government funded schools have mainly Haitian immigrant children who desperately need to learn Spanish so they are able to enter the government-funded public school system. I am so excited to see where this project leads!   -Lilly My family and I delivered over 400 pounds of donated school supplies to Celeste Faro school in Veron Dominican Republic July-August 2022. Home