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<\/p>\nAt a Georgia teacher’s funeral, all of her loved ones attended carrying school supplies-filled backpacks. <\/p>\n
In her last moments, Tammy Waddell asked that everyone who came to pay their respects provide school supplies for underprivileged kids. <\/p>\n
The really poignant gesture gained widespread attention on the internet. On June 9, 2018, Waddell passed away from stomach cancer. <\/p>\n
As per the 58-year-old’s request, her obituary recommended that donations be donated to Project Connect, a nearby initiative that gives backpacks to underprivileged youngsters, <\/p>\n
in place of flowers, according to Good Morning America. Waddell worked as a teacher at Cumming Elementary School, Sawnee Elementary & Primary Schools, and Haw Creek Elementary School. <\/p>\n
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\u2018Every child should have the chance to learn, and Tammy was an avid supporter of literacy. Despite all of her accomplishments and honors, <\/p>\n
none surpass the countless lives she touched throughout her thirty years in the teaching profession. <\/p>\n
The obituary stated that Tammy Waddell’s \u2018passion for children in need” should be honored by bringing backpacks <\/p>\n
full of school supplies instead of flowers or by making a donation to Project Connect in her memory. <\/p>\n
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Positive comments have poured in on social media as the poignant pictures of hikers arranged in rows at church benches went viral. <\/p>\n
Brad Johnson, Waddell’s cousin, tweeted the pictures. Johnson, a colleague teacher, described her as the type of person who always had her students’ best interests in mind. <\/p>\n
\u2018This is a reflection of her heart and the kind of teacher she was.\u2019All along, she was a teacher first and foremost, Johnson said to CNN. <\/p>\n
She gave me a lot of inspiration to do everything I have. Johnson continued, \u2018She was just as quick to give a hug as she was to give supplies to students who needed them.\u2019 <\/p>\n
Waddell had spent thirty years as an educator in Georgia’s Forsyth County Schools. In 2003, she received another honor: county elementary school teacher of the year. <\/p>\n
To commemorate Waddell, Tes Resources, a nonprofit that supports educators globally, reached out to Johnson. <\/p>\n
He was informed by the group that they intended to donate thousands of school supplies to youngsters in Forsyth County.<\/p>\n
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Her son, Kevin Waddell, stated that it was not unexpected that her ultimate wish was to assist students. <\/p>\n
\u2018My mother’s enthusiasm for teaching was one of the things I cherished about her. It’s among the things that inspired me to pursue this career,\u2019 said Waddell, a teacher. <\/p>\n
People from as far away as Britain have offered to give backpacks in honor of her after seeing pictures of the backpacks at her funeral. <\/p>\n
Kevin, who asked people to support their local schools, added, \u2018She lived life by loving others and she was never worried about attention… she was just focused on the love.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018At this point, she would try to convey the message to donate to your local schools. It’s not required <\/p>\n
to be precisely here.\u2019 Thousands of people retweeted Johnson’s message, and they sent heartfelt comments.<\/p>\n
According to Paul Holbrook, a funeral home representative, \u2018that day we received roughly about 130 backpacks filled with school supplies <\/p>\n
anything a student would need for at least half of the school year and they continue to come in.” \u2018Tammy had a great heart for kids and was a servant leader. <\/p>\n
\u2018The kind donations of supplies and backpacks in her honor are a heartfelt remembrance,” Forsyth schools spokesperson Jennifer Caracciolo told AJC. <\/p>\n