Letter from Principal

I just wanted to thank all of you for all you have done for our family. I don't know how we could keep going without all the family and friends that we have and for the support you give us. The cards, emails and phone calls mean so much to us. I can't even begin to express how much. I also want to thank you for making it possible for us to give back to the school district. The things we have been able to do mean so much to us to keep Weston's memory alive. I had no idea how much it meant to others until I read a letter from the principal. Thank you for helping us to make an impact on others and help them also deal with losing a friend.

Here is copy of the letter the principal sent to community businesses and individuals:

9/15/2008
Please give me the chance to introduce myself, and to explain the purpose for my request. I am Trish Munsterman and I am the principal at Lakeland Elementary. The reason for my letter today is complicated and sad.

Next month, October, marks the one year anniversary of the death of one of our students. Last year in October, Weston Wilkins, a six-year old in first grade, was the victim of a hay riding accident. I cannot even begin to tell you how much the news of his death tore up our school. At the time, we still had three of his brothers as members of our school family. And this is how we feel about ourselves—as a family. The Wilkins’ family is a beloved part of our community and we were all deeply saddened by his death.

What is remarkable about this whole situation is rather hard to explain. Instead of what we could do for the family—it became what the family of Weston could do for the school district to comfort us. Their concern was for Weston’s friends and classmates and how to get them to understand: why? As the donations to the family came in, the family thought of ways to give back to the school district where Weston and all their boys attended instead of ways to use the money to help their family. They have started annual Spelling Bee prize money for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for grades first through sixth grade for the duration of their children’s educational experience at Lakeland Elementary.

You can’t begin to believe the kids’ reaction to receiving this money last year. The family purchased over one hundred books for the elementary library in Weston’s memory on his favorite subjects because he was an avid reader. These are some of the favorite books at our Elementary. Weston’s extended family had written a book based on Weston’s young, full life, and at the end of the year, the family brought a book for every child in his class and had a class celebration while reading this. This is now one of the favorite books at these children’s homes and in some cases the only one.

What is it I would like to do? I would like to give something back to the family who has given so much to us. I would like to do something to honor the life of Weston Wilkins. I would like to give something to his classmates who still miss and think of Weston often and probably will for a long, long time. I hope to put a memorial for Weston on our Elementary playground and invite the family out to dedicate the area in memory of Weston with his classmates. He loved nature and loved being outside. It would be wonderful to be able to place at least one sturdy tree in his memory with a small memorial stone with Weston’s name and at least one bench so his classmates can share the outdoors with him.

If there is anything that you feel like you could donate to help with our cause, it would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience. My contact information is at the bottom of the page. I would hope to have this project lined out by the first week of October. We just want to do a little something to give back to the family that has given us so much, and to remember our friend that the kids know is till here with them in spirit.

Thank you, Sincerely, Trish Munsterman

Thank you again to all of you. You have definately help ease our burden some at such a devasting time in our lives. Allen and Cindy and Family