Fundraiser planned tonight to help city teacher stay in the classroom
While I usually don't advertise personal events, I felt this benefit event, organized to help keep a courageous but diabled teacher in her classroom, was worth the exception.
Please read below for details:
Kate Hooks, a History teacher at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (and former teacher at City), has been living and teaching with multiple sclerosis her entire 9-year career in the Baltimore City Public Schools. The progressive disease has confined her to a wheelchair, and, in order for her to continue her passion of teaching, she must hire a caretaker (not covered by insurance) to help with various tasks, including assisting her in getting ready for work in the mornings.
Please join us in this benefit event for Kate on the night before the annual City/Poly football game, as Kate's current and former colleagues from Teach for America, Poly, and City (and whomever else would like to support the cause, including former students or the general public) toast to her well-being and raise money for her assistance and continued dedication to teaching the youth of Baltimore.
Roots Rocker Caleb Stine (http://www.calebstine.com) will be performing, Ze Mean Bean (http://www.zemeanbean.com) is offering pierogies for just a quarter each, and there will be drink specials (and the bartender will donate all tips to the cause).
We are asking for a $20 donation for the event and the goal is to raise enough money for Kate to be able to afford a caretaker and continue teaching her 9th graders into the new year. Thanks so much for your support and please spread the word. All are invited.
What: Kate Hooks Benefit Happy Hour & Concert. Help a BCPSS teacher in her battle for independence.
When: Friday, November 5th, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ze Mean Bean Café, 1739 Fleet Street, corner of Fleet & Ann in Fells Point (410-675-5999), www.zemeanbean.com<http://www.zemeanbean.com/>
Donation: $20
Donations all go to Ms. Hooks so she can hire a caretaker to help her get ready for work in the mornings and continue teaching her full load of 9th graders into the new year and beyond.
Mr. Mark Miazga
English Teacher and Varsity Baseball Coach, Baltimore City College
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Thank you for the blog post. The event was a great success; we raised over $2000 for Kate's care. It's not too late to donate if you haven't already; Kate's care costs nearly $20,000 a year and insurance does not cover it.
You can donate at http://katehooks.blogspot.com (Kate's blog that contains many funny and sad stories about teaching in Baltimore City).
Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, and/or spread the word!
Posted by: Mark Miazga | November 5, 2010 10:45 PM