Greensboro Dreamers - Tom & Kathy Kelly + Beth Thomas - They Had A Dream!

Today's show will feature one of the most interesting & rewarding projects I have ever seen undertaken! In the year 2000, Tom & Kathy Kelly, along with Beth Thomas, took a class of 54 first graders at Greensboro Elementary School and made a commitment to stay with them every step of the way through high school and then college. This included, not just academic support, but years of mentoring in life skills, community service, providing financial support, exposing them to arts, science, music, theater, travel and social experiences, ultimately culminating in college selection and college graduation! Beth Thomas is here and we will talk about her first meeting with her school principal and the Kelly's, while she was teaching first grade at the primary school. This unique concept was a perfect match for her, as the hardest thing for her about teaching was seeing her young students leave her classroom at the end of every year. We'll talk about the beginnings of the endeavor, from the selection to the first kickoff party, all the way through college graduation. We are talking about a commitment that defies the imagination! We'll hear about the incredible amount of community support, both in many volunteers and a lot of financial support. And not just from the local area, but from all over the country to help fulfill the promises made to these young students! You will love to hear the stories of their progress, the dynamics of the relationships developed by the kids and all the many lives that were impacted by the program. And, of course, you will want to hear about what has happened to all these kids after college graduation, now having started their own lives and careers! It is one of the most remarkable stories I've ever heard! Almost everyone wants to positively impact the lives of others, especially children, but not many people actually do anything about it, and certainly not in such a major way! You will love this story and you will love to hear Beth tell it with so much heart as she talks about her "dreamers"! Guest: Beth Thomas - Greensboro Dreamers http://www.gbdreamers.org/ Sponsors: Lake Oconee Bistro & Tim Broyles State Farm https://www.lakeoconeebistro.com/ https://www.mydowntownagency.com/ https://www.facebook.com/tbprotectincome