Under-privileged school sends out plea for 50 'surrogate fathers'- over 600 show up
Dade Middle School in Dallas, Texas, is situated in one of the city's poorest areas.
Recently, the board of management decided to hold a 'Breakfast with Dad' event, but there was one problem.
They worried that not enough dads would show up.
Speaking to local media, the head of the school board Reverend Donald J. Parish, said that they were aware that many of the fathers would be too busy to come, and that many of their students have no present father.
"We put out a call for about 50 men to come and stand-in a surrogate fathers and mentors for the boys whose fathers couldn't make it, or who don't have any father in their lives."
So they put out a plea on Facebook for 50 men to show up.
However, organisers were shocked when over 600 men showed up, packing out the school hall.
Reverend Parish continued to say that the sign up site crashed due to the amount of men signing up:
"When a young person sees someone other than their teacher take interest in them, it inspires them. That's what we want to see happen. These kids need all the support they can get to be successful."
The men even brought extra ties to help teach the young men how to do them properly. Someone pass the tissues.
Words cannot describe the impact mentoring youth can have on both you and your mentee. Powerful to see a community of fellow men and fathers come together to wrap their arms around or young men. Thank you for having me out. pic.twitter.com/2fTicFpzws
— Jason Rodriguez (@DISDPD_AChiefJR) 14 December 2017
When asked why he decided to become a mentor, Chris, one of the mentors present, said:
"I felt that it was important to give back. In my life I always had men around me that gave me opportunities and provided me with support so I wanted to do the same thing."
The 'fathers' offered everything from music performances to advice and guidance to the boys.
"With everything going on in your own work and life, it can be easy to forget that there are kids out there that need someone to talk to," Chris continued.
The breakfast wrapped up with the new brothers linking arm in arm around the hall.
If that doesn't warm your heart, nothing will.