A preschool director takes a second job as a ride-share driver so she could buy presents for her students. She wants to make sure that her students would have a memorable holiday.
According to "The Washington Post," Renee Dixon knew many families whose children are enrolled at Lynhurst Baptist Church Preschool in Indianapolis would have a hard time. She said that many of them do not have money to buy presents for their kids.
Parents lost their jobs
The 47-year-old knew that some parents lost their jobs, while others have their wages cut back. She told the outlet that many of her students came from a low-income family, while others are below the poverty line.
She decided to get a second job so she could earn extra income to buy all her 50 students presents. Apart from that, she also bought holiday gifts and winter clothing for her students' siblings.
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Drove for Uber and Lyft
According to the "Post," Dixon has been driving for Uber and Lyft. On weekdays, she would drive from six in the evening until one or two in the wee hours in the morning. On Saturdays, she would drive for 12 hours, while on Sundays, she works for six hours. She explained that she could not rest because the children need her.
How it all started
"Good Morning America" reported how she thought of taking a second job. In 2016, Dixon was working as a classroom teacher when she was saddened that many of the students' parents could not afford to buy them Christmas gifts.
The then-teacher explained she knew how it feels to never have dreams come true. She did not want the things her students prayed for not to come true. Other than that, she did not want her students to feel that the world is unfair because of their living situation.
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All 50 of the preschool's students, plus their siblings, received Christmas presents this year thanks to Renee Dixon,... Posted by Good Morning America on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
The pandemic has added to the problem
According to the outlet, Dixon continued to work for Uber after she had become the director of the preschool. Since the pandemic has hit the economy hard and many parents lost their jobs, the enrollment has decreased by 50 percent.
The director told the outlet she started turning to Lyft after the demands decreased for Uber rides. For every hundred dollars she earned, she buys toys, dolls, and games for her students, the "Post" reported.
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The community also helped her
Members of the community also chipped in to help Dixon with her shopping, based on the outlet. To date, she has already earned $2,500, which is enough to cover for all of her students with two presents.
"GMA" reported that Dixon will also give $50 bonuses to 12 of her teachers and gifts to the siblings of her students. Vemirah Johnson, Dixon's daughter, told the "Post" that she and her sister will not be receiving any gift this year.
