A Georgia teacher found a way to continue giving to school children after her death and is inspiring others to make other acts of kindness.
Tammy Waddell passed away earlier this month after a prolonged illness. Her final request was in lieu of flowers that people bring donations of backpacks to her funeral.
Many children will be receiving the dozens of backpacks that were donated in her memory. Flowers only last days but these backpacks can be used for years. This very touching request is going to help a lot of children. And it might spawn more people to donate.
Waddell’s cousin, Dr. Brad Johnson, shared an image on Twitter that is rather profound. It shows backpacks lined up at each pew in the church. What a beautiful reminder of the importance of paying it forward.
My cousin’s final request at her funeral was Backpacks full of supplies for needy students instead of flowers. A teacher to the end. @TeachersNet @edutopia @EdWeekTeacher pic.twitter.com/eGig25tYwH
— 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 (@DrBradJohnson) June 19, 2018
“She always smiled, always showed them she cared, and she was their favorite teacher,” Johnson said about his cousin. “She was ready to give a hug to a student in need, just like she was ready to give supplies to a student in need.”
The backpacks will be distributed through Project Connect where teachers deliver backpacks and school supplies to children in need through the Forsyth School District. Tammy Waddell’s final wish will help boost this program.
What some of the back packs were filled with… pic.twitter.com/rUWpheecEk
— 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 (@DrBradJohnson) June 26, 2018
“Tammy was a servant leader that loved children,” school spokesman Jennifer Caracciolo said. “The generous backpack/supplies donations in her memory is a touching tribute.”
Waddell taught elementary school for over a quarter of a century before retiring. The children were of great importance to her and her backpack request is a beautiful example of how we should always look out to help others. These backpacks are more beautiful than any funeral flowers as they have a purpose that will far exceed the ceremony.
Video about this touching gift and Waddell’s legacy can be viewed below.
In a world where negativity dominates headlines, it is encouraging to see how Tammy Waddell continued giving even after her death.
Source: AJC