Desks for Kids

By Vickie Denning, Communications Director

This spark started with a 7th-grade literacy teacher in Iowa.

Nate Evans was driving to a men’s group at his church. The radio was on, but it was just background noise. He was aware the broadcast was about woodworking.

In the next moment, he clearly heard a call from God. Nate heard that he was to use his skills, his time, and his money to build desks for students.

Nate taught both in-person and remotely. He had seen kids log on from their beds or kitchen tables. He saw the struggle of the children and their families. He saw the need for a space to grow and learn.

But, Nate didn’t want to build desks. He had finally gotten ahead a little. He had paid off his own kids’ orthodontics. He was a teacher, not a carpenter.

So, Nate argued with the call, but you probably already know how that went. Eventually Nate answered, “Let me see.”

Nate mentioned his call to the men’s group at church as well as others and a community rapidly formed. Thirteen desks were built the first weekend. To date, he and his community have built over 2,000 desks.

Nate’s work was featured on Good Morning America where Pastor Stephen happened to view it.

Pastor Stephen wondered if there was still a need for desks in Tucson since schools are reopening for in person learning. So, he floated the idea in some community forums and found an outpouring of both requests and interest.

Pastor Stephen ran the idea by TVLC in his sermon last Sunday and the spark began to spread.

Suddenly, the question became, can the TVLC community and friends make 50 desks in the next month? Can we identify leaders? Can we assemble, finish, and deliver? Can we?

Watch this video to learn more. See organizational plans from Gerd Renno here. And, come to a kick-off meeting this Sunday, March 21, at 11:30am on the Tevah patio (northwest corner of the NFLC) for more information. Email Pastor Stephen with your questions.

Song credit: Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser, 1969