Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Two very good friends came together for a worthwhile cause and have created what they hope will be a new “movement” in Stoddard County!
Alexis Smith, a sophomore and her best friend, Jacob Robinson, a junior, both attending Dexter High School are just “Two People With One Goal!” They are on a mission to stomp out poverty in Stoddard County.
These two very special students decided to take a stand to end the impoverished conditions that many people in our community live in.
According to their website, www.endpovertystoddardcounty.com the poverty rate in Stoddard County is around 16.9%, being one of the highest counties in the state of Missouri. That means one out of six people in Stoddard County live below the poverty line.
“When I looked around me, and I saw all the people hurting and I knew that it was time for me to stand up and try to make a difference,” Alexis stated. Her goal is for this organization to reach out to as many folks as possible and decrease the number of those living in poverty.
“We realize how lucky we are and we feel like it is time to speak up and give back to the people in need, “ continued Alexis.
Jacob too has realized that there are so many with so little. As a student he should be focused on school, sports and having fun, but when a fellow classmate made a comment, it went straight to his heart. “ When I heard a student at my local high school talk about how the school food is their only meal during the day, I found this unacceptable. People should not be going hungry in America, not this day in age.” stated Jacob.
“It’s time for the community to unite and fight against poverty,” continued Robinson, "That's our mission!"
Both students are very active in their school and community. Alexis is planning to major in Biology and further her education by going to medical school. She is involved in student council, FBLA, FLC, TARS, FCA, and attends the Bernie Church of Christ.
Jacob is also very active in school. He will attend college and eventually follow his dream of attending medical school and hopes to be a dermatologist. He is involved in FBLA, FLC, TARS, FTA, STUCO, and is a Dexter Honor Society Member. He is active in high school tennis as well.
So now you have two students who have their first goal of how to rid poverty in Stoddard County. They have endeavored to start a Coat Drive and it has already been successful with a several donations.
Beginning now until January 31st they have a goal of collecting 100 coats. Exceeding their goal would enrich the lives of even more kids and adults who need coats during these very cold days of January.
Drop off locations in Dexter are Dexter Medical Center, located next to Sonic, and if you have a student at T.S. Middle School, you can simply take the coats to the library and give to Mrs. Robinson.
Drop off location in Essex is the 1 Stop located next to First Commercial Bank.
Pick-ups are available as well and you may contact one of the following:
Jacob Robinson (573)-552-2108
Alexis Smith (573) 820-5699
Joe Foster (573) 421-5228 in the Essex area
They hope to have more drop-off locations throughout the county very soon so check out their website or their newly created Facebook page for continuing updates. The Facebook page is EndPovertyInStoddardCounty.
Alexis and Jacob plan to deliver the coats to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. Any children-sized coat will be distributed to the elementary schools throughout the county, so the school faculty can give the coats directly to the children that need them the most.
With the public’s help, they plan to host coat, food, shoes, clothes, and school supplies drives throughout 2013. They wish to host a 5k run, provide sack lunches in parks to impoverished children, adopt families, and continue to raise awareness about the conditions of the people in our own community.
They are asking for your commitment and your ideas. Together they can help make poverty and the suffering it causes a thing of the past.
If you wish to help financially, they have online donating available on their website and every dollar donated will go directly to hosting events and buying items for the needy of our community.
So please however you can, help these students accomplish their goals it will truly be rewarding.
This is truly a worthwhile cause and for two high school students to step up and take on such a huge challenge is remarkable. The ShowMe Times will be reporting on their continued success and keep you up-to-date as they are simply "Two People With One Goal" and a whole lot of heart!
