George Gordon's School of Law

by Betty Stanley, Ozark County Times

(appeared on front page, Ozark County Times, September 10, 2003)

Kohl Gordon, the 15-year-old Isabella teen who has collected school supplies for Iraqi school children, has 100 boxes filled, packed and ready to ship.

"I've had some problems deciding what to put in the boxes," Kohl said. "The temperatures there are in the hundreds almost every day. Therefore, I could not put in anything that might explode or melt at high temperatures.

"I also had to watch what I bought, because of the Shiite Muslims," Kohl added. "They believe that a picture of a person, an animal or even a plant is idol worshipping and they would have burned anything that had such a picture on it.

"The food items I put in had to last a long time at high temperatures and not spoil," she said.

But Kohl took her funds, donated by many people across the county and even across country, and shopped carefully. The boxes contain pencils and notepads, hard candy in tins, school glue and colored pencils, even a small toy.

"I believe that if the Iraqi children can go back to school and learn, they will be able to dream about a life for themselves.

"Any child who goes to school, at some point in time, thinks about being a doctor or a lawyer," added Kohl, who has big dreams about her own future.

"The children in Iraq are no different. When we give them a dream - something to work toward - then when a terrorist group comes to recruit them, they will be too busy working toward their dream to want to become a terrorist," she added.

Kohl has packed her 100 completed boxes into shipping boxes, donated to her by U-Haul, each of which holds six of the smaller boxes. Seventeen of these boxes are packed, sealed and labeled, waiting for the needed funds to ship them - $30 per box.

"I need only 17 donors to give $30 and they can be sent," she added. "I'm not shy," she said, laughing. "I went to my orthodontist last week and I asked him for a donation."

Kohl received recognition last month from Senator Jim Talent, who has stayed in touch and suggests that she work with a U.S. Army special project in the future.

In a letter dated Sept. 4, Talent commended Kohl for her efforts, stating, "I hope your heart will lead you to continue your effort to serve our world, both at home and abroad."

And that's what Kohl, who admits she has big dreams, plans to do.

"I have purchased 100 more school boxes and I would like to distribute them among classrooms in Ozark County so students here can help and join their hands with those of the children in Iraq."

Kohl says she is willing to meet with classes and explain what she is doing to the students. "I would speak to individual classes, answer any questions and give suggestions of how the students can help me help others," she said.

In fact, Kohl's big dream is to involve students across the state and challenge them to send at least 1,000 boxes.

For more information on the project, you may call Kohl at 273-4967.

Donations for shipping the supplies may be left at the Times office or mailed to the Ozark County Times at P.O. Box 188, Gainesville, MO 65655 - Attn: School Supplies.

George's Note: As I've mentioned on the air, Kohl gathered enough from the local people to make up the boxes... but hasn't quite gotten enough to send them. I've requested that my listeners chip in and send her something so we can get these boxes sent out in a reasonable amount of time. Also, Kohl's looking at doing more boxes herself, and would be happy to receive any donations to allow her to put together another batch of 100 or so.

If you want to help Kohl, send an email, mail a letter or donation or give us a call at 417-273-4967. Thanks.

George Gordon's School of Law
P.O. Box 297 Isabella, MO 65676
E-mail George


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