The Project Peace Outreach Fund is a way for us to carry on Avery Drew’s good deeds. On February 28, 2013 Greensville County Public School students from 3rd to 5th grade who were a part of the Talented and Gifted Music Club dedicated their performance “Project Peace” in memory of Avery Drew. Mr Lundy & the music TAG students unknowingly gave us the perfect name to donate to charitable causes in Avery Drew’s memory.
Avery Drew was always willing to help those less fortunate than her. From the time she entered school, it was apparent to her some children didn’t have the necessary school supplies. She always asked to take extra crayons, glue sticks, tissues etc. to school and though out the year asked to replenish their supplies as needed. At the beginning of the 2012 year we purchased an abundance of glue sticks (100 I think) because she knew that was something that was needed each year. Avery Drew enjoyed giving to others at Christmas time individually as well as through her Church and Girl Scout Troops.
The week before the accident, our family went on a cruise visiting Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya. Avery Drew was visibly bothered by the living conditions in Belize & Roatan. She was concerned about the children she saw walking alone in the streets, especially after seeing military with guns at checkpoints. Avery Drew didn’t understand why most children stopped going to school after 6th grade. Avery Drew & Addison supported the local vendors by purchasing carved slate turtles & butterflies and happily “tipped” the artist for adding their name & the year.
On January 23, 2013 we went on a private tour of Roatan. Our tour guide, Laura, told us a little about herself and her family. We had scheduled visits to an iguana farm and a private zoo featuring monkeys but after learning Laura had two sons, Avery Drew quickly asked if we could go by her house to meet them. Not being sure what would be safe to eat we had packed our lunch. Avery Drew & Addison asked the boys if they would like a snack and saw their eyes light up at the opportunity for a small box of Froot Loops. Laura explained cereal cost about $10 per box and was considered a treat – something they may receive for their birthdays. The girls then gave them all the snacks we had and happily gave them each a $1.00 bill, too. At the end of our tour Avery Drew asked Laura for her mailing address and later told us she wanted to mail them some Froot Loops from home since they were so much cheaper. Later that day we visited a private beach where children were selling sea shells. Avery Drew understood these children were selling sea shells in order for their family to eat and survive – not because they wanted to buy a toy. Since we had found some beautiful shells ourselves we gave them money but allowed them to keep the shells to sell to other tourist.
Calvary Baptist Church & St. John the Baptist Lutheran Church in Emporia, Virginia chose Project Peace as their 2013 Vacation Bible School mission project. Flip flops, as well as medical and hygiene items were collected and donated to the Friends of Barnabas organization which works to organize medical missions to Honduras. A clinical team offers nutrition and hygiene lessons along with health clinics for children and adults. Calvary Baptist Church also collected an offering in the amount of $1,200 which was donated to Friends of Barnabas in memory of Avery Drew.
To find out more information or to make a donation please contact us:
email - alwaysrememberaverydrew@gmail.com
mail - Avery Drew Swenson Memorial Fund, 399 Whitehorne Road, Emporia, VA 23847
facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InLovingMemoryOfAveryDrewSwenson
Avery Drew was always willing to help those less fortunate than her. From the time she entered school, it was apparent to her some children didn’t have the necessary school supplies. She always asked to take extra crayons, glue sticks, tissues etc. to school and though out the year asked to replenish their supplies as needed. At the beginning of the 2012 year we purchased an abundance of glue sticks (100 I think) because she knew that was something that was needed each year. Avery Drew enjoyed giving to others at Christmas time individually as well as through her Church and Girl Scout Troops.
The week before the accident, our family went on a cruise visiting Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya. Avery Drew was visibly bothered by the living conditions in Belize & Roatan. She was concerned about the children she saw walking alone in the streets, especially after seeing military with guns at checkpoints. Avery Drew didn’t understand why most children stopped going to school after 6th grade. Avery Drew & Addison supported the local vendors by purchasing carved slate turtles & butterflies and happily “tipped” the artist for adding their name & the year.
On January 23, 2013 we went on a private tour of Roatan. Our tour guide, Laura, told us a little about herself and her family. We had scheduled visits to an iguana farm and a private zoo featuring monkeys but after learning Laura had two sons, Avery Drew quickly asked if we could go by her house to meet them. Not being sure what would be safe to eat we had packed our lunch. Avery Drew & Addison asked the boys if they would like a snack and saw their eyes light up at the opportunity for a small box of Froot Loops. Laura explained cereal cost about $10 per box and was considered a treat – something they may receive for their birthdays. The girls then gave them all the snacks we had and happily gave them each a $1.00 bill, too. At the end of our tour Avery Drew asked Laura for her mailing address and later told us she wanted to mail them some Froot Loops from home since they were so much cheaper. Later that day we visited a private beach where children were selling sea shells. Avery Drew understood these children were selling sea shells in order for their family to eat and survive – not because they wanted to buy a toy. Since we had found some beautiful shells ourselves we gave them money but allowed them to keep the shells to sell to other tourist.
Calvary Baptist Church & St. John the Baptist Lutheran Church in Emporia, Virginia chose Project Peace as their 2013 Vacation Bible School mission project. Flip flops, as well as medical and hygiene items were collected and donated to the Friends of Barnabas organization which works to organize medical missions to Honduras. A clinical team offers nutrition and hygiene lessons along with health clinics for children and adults. Calvary Baptist Church also collected an offering in the amount of $1,200 which was donated to Friends of Barnabas in memory of Avery Drew.
To find out more information or to make a donation please contact us:
email - alwaysrememberaverydrew@gmail.com
mail - Avery Drew Swenson Memorial Fund, 399 Whitehorne Road, Emporia, VA 23847
facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InLovingMemoryOfAveryDrewSwenson
