– blogged by @lanaladonna
Just weeks after celebrities and social media came together to support #KeatonJones’ bullying allegations, former NFL linebacker #AaronMaybin is looking to spread awareness about another issue.
Can you imagine sending your child to school for them to be there with no heat in 25 degrees, and below weather? Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening to the children of The Baltimore City Public Schools District.
Maybin, who now teaches at Matthew A. Henson Elementary School in Baltimore, says that his students have to wear coats inside the classroom.
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“My students were freezing,” Maybin told Baller Alert. “Most were wearing coats but some don’t have them. I had two classes in my room all day with the windows open, using sunlight to keep warm.“
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When Maybin returned to school this past week after Winter break, he realized the issue, and immediately confronted the principal.
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“When I arrived at school, half the lights in the building were off and it was freezing. When I spoke to the principal I was told It was due to nobody being there during the holidays to make sure the heat stayed on, and pipes didn’t freeze.”
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“The electricity was only working in half of the building. We tried our best as educators. They tried their best as scholars, but they are dealing with a lot already. And now they are supposed to learn in the dark and in the cold,” said Maybin.
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Well, who exactly is the blame? A question that may come to all of our minds. According to Maybin, the finger can be pointed at a few. Though a new light is being shed on the issue, the problem itself isn’t new at all.
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“Everyone is to blame. Everyone is. The governor, the mayor, city council, north avenue. I blame everyone. This problem isn’t new. It isn’t something that just came up yesterday. It’s a citywide issue that has been ignored for years,” said Maybin.
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Now for the real question- what needs to be done in order to get the babies heat?!
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Maybin has started up a gofundme with a goal of $50,000 to raise money for approximately 660 space heaters to be placed in each classroom, as well as around the building. The total amount will also cover gofundme charges as well.
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That’s not it- as mentioned before, some children are in need of coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, etc. If you are willing to donate those as well, Maybin is asking to be contacted via gofundme.
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It’s been done before, so we know it can do again.
