(By guest blogger, Laura Duquette) Looking out the window this time of year, the landscape looks like a big, white blanket. It’s hard to imagine that this blanket is made up of millions of little crystals we call snowflakes. Vermont’s own Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, spent decades in the late 1800s and early 1900s photographing snow crystals using his microscope and a camera. The images clearly show how unique and beautiful each snow crystal is. They are very intricate and stunning. Through his work, he discovered that they are all different. No two snowflakes are alike.
Just as these millions of individual snowflakes may appear to be simply a large blanket of snow, similarly, a large group of people together could just look like a big crowd. But if we stop to consider that each person is an individual with his or her own personality, physical attributes, interests, talents, and life experiences, we must step back and recognize that each person is unique, singular, and unable to be duplicated.
Along these same lines, there are so many charitable organizations that exist in the world. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by that landscape of need. So many people requesting help in such a variety of ways. It’s kind of like trying to walk through that deep blanket of snow!
The St Nicholas Project has focused its efforts on our little corner of the world in New England; more specifically, in Westminster, Vermont, at a place called Kurn Hattin Homes for Children. Kurn Hattin has helped children there since 1894 who come from families in distress from Vermont and neighboring states. It's a special place because of the wonderful work they do on behalf of the boys and girls!
From caring teachers and staff to mixed classrooms based on ability rather than age; from opportunities to play sports to learning how to play a musical instrument; from caring for animals to gardening-- and, so much more! Kurn Hattin is its own unique place, singular and noteworthy for its efforts. Moreover, Kurn Hattin’s core values show how this organization recognizes the individual child and teaches him or her to grow in self-worth and to persevere in achieving his or her very best in every undertaking. The focus of Kurn Hattin's work with children respects the intricate design of each one--just as if each one were a beautiful snowflake. There is no other place like it! We hope you’ll join The St Nicholas Project in supporting Kurn Hattin’s beautiful work with children by making a donation today!
