Thank you to everyone for the suggestions. We are now in contact with the family's liason and she's not sure what the family even wants or needs. They are not sure is the want strangers handling the babies at all. It doesn't appear the family will have any problem getting a lot of needs met. They get sponsored diapers, formula, cribs and carseats. There's talk of a new house. And yes lots of talk about why they get all this and nobody else does. So the PTO is keeping their name out. However, we are inviting the liason and the church to come to our next meeting and inviting all parents so everyone has a chance at their say. We are all about parent involvement and we are just putting our parents that want to be involved in the right position without overwelming the family. You would not believe the high end officials involved with this. Thanks again.
I have to say I agree with everyone. There are ways to help this family w/out making it a PTO thing. Meals, babysitting, changing diapers, having a diaper &/or formula drive. Get the city involved w/ a drive. Do they go to church? Find out. See if they have started anything and how anyone who wants to help from the school can be a part of the help.
I know you're nervous about the rules. But sometimes we can get caught up in the rules and miss the big picture (believe me been there done that).
Remove the PTO title for this one and do what you need to do. If people want to help don't tell them no, say, "As caring concerned neighbors and community members what can we do for this family?"
I don't see anything wrong with maybe organizing dinner delivery for them. (Does she even have a very good friend at the school who might do this?) Put a sign-up sheet on your bulletin board that says "Sign up to help take dinner to the _________family". I remember seeing this at our school when one of the teachers was pregnant with triplets and was on bedrest (triplets born; one died). This way, no money is spent but lots of good will. This is sort of an EXTRAORDINARY
example, especially considering the dad is serving our country. I think you can do alot without spending money.
Good luck
Shelly
Actually, that's pretty close to what we are doing. We can help but not as a PTO. We can communicate, but the IRS says we can only benefit the entire school and individuals can not be named. Like the PTO today article "Saying Thanks has it's limits". Our bylaws state the assoc is organized exclusively for educational purposes that qualify as exempt organization under our 501(c)3 and that is the school. The quints will be the only family to have national support in our school, we have other families going through rough times.
I don't always agree with people putting themselves into positions like this, but it doesn't mean that I won't help them. You do not have to do it as part of the PTO but you can use the PTO to spread the word and maybe even use this time to find some more parents who would be great in your group!
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Remember when the family in Iowa that had the seven babies? Their oldest was only two so it was their church that rallied to help the family.
They organized a schedual to cook, clean, feed, and round the clock care for Mom and babies. All you are giving are organizal skills and time, okay maybe a dinner or two but anything helps at this point!
This is were I get into trouble, I would throw away the "rules" and roll up my sleeves and change diapers!
I will keep these wonderful blessed family in my prayers also. WOW 5....at once!
