Picture an unseasonably warm February afternoon. Laughter echoes under the covered bridge where children excavate treasures buried in Menno Run last fall. Across the way, friendly competition on the Gaga Court and bouncing balls on the hardtop indicate EMES students are out enjoying the fresh air during recess. Fort builders are gathering materials from the campus “no mow zone” and creative structures are taking shape at the woods’ edge. Three high school students stroll toward the bridge, each carrying books to read to clusters of kindergarten children who scamper from climbing bars to the laps of their reading mentors. Grass stained knees, happy chatter, and rosy cheeks are the telltale signs of childhood creative play and strong neural connections happening in the brain. All of this is happening because of our specially designed K-12 campus and new elementary school made possible by you, a community of generous people believing in the future and promise of children through the Let the Children Come campaign. Can you envision this scene and sense the special programs happening within and around our shared facilities?
The illustrated timeline on page 2 summarizes our campaign progress goals. Our silent phase began with EMES faculty and board giving at 100% participation. We secured these generous stretch-gifts first before reaching out to others to emphasize the strong com- munity buy-in of this project. Community leaders are now also stepping forward during the quiet phase with encouraging support. We look forward to announcing in June the expected scope of this project.
Everyone’s help is needed through large and small gifts. As children move about our new classrooms and expanded campus we want it to be obvious that their school opportunities are made possible by a generous community. We plan to recognize everyone who participates in Let the Children Come in a way that inspires creativity and has students LTCC Steering Commiitee is ready for seeing their cloud of witnesses who promote the values of EMS.
Join us in daily prayer for the future of EMS and the Let the Children Come campaign and do not hesitate to contact me at leamanp@emhs.net or (540) 236-6012 if you would like join in this exciting project!
Are you interested in participating in the next 100 years of promise for EMS? Here are ways to make this vision a reality.
