a birthday fundraiser

Birthday fundraisers are a thing now, so I’m jumping on the bandwagon.

THE WHO: I’m fundraising for the following four teachers — people I’m proud to call friends and who do a job more difficult and under appreciated than anything else that comes to mind.

• Cassie Horwitz, kindergarten, Desert Sands unified school district.

• Jon Horwitz, physical education, Palm Springs unified school district.

• Kyoko Utsumi, third grade, Aspire public schools- East Oakland.

• Haley Donovan, first grade, San Francisco unified school district.

THE HOW: I’m doing without third party platform and fees. If you’d like to contribute, Venmo is the way. For accountability sake, I’ll publish a list of all donors on August 26th (two weeks after my birthday) with line items of donation amounts and how they were distributed to each teacher; if you want to stay anonymous, just tell me so in the Venmo. Venmo @okay-est.

THE WHY: As I reflect on the current state of the country — or rather, as it’s screaming from my social media feed everyday— there isn’t a shortage of causes to donate towards. I’ve had many interactions in the real and virtual world about “truth”; what is fake news? what is conspiracy? what is truth? The things we used to hold fundamental seem to be challenged (the earth is round, vaccines works, global warming is real, etc.) and that challenge more widespread by way of new technologies. And with the widespread of misinformation come fear and fear-based actions (or in the troublesome issue of global warming and gun reform— inaction).

I feel strongly that education, GOOD education, helps combat the susceptibility to misinformation. For my 38th turn around the sun, I’d like to take the opportunity to put some money toward the teachers in my life. Investing in their ability to teach and provide for their classrooms is the best way to ensure the next generation of intelligent, independent, thinkers. Please join me.