During the 2023-2024 school year, Crane Schools replaced a number of aging classroom desks and tables after being offered newer furnishings by Ozarks Technical Community College and the late Bryan College.

The district’s maintenance staff made the trip to pick up the new tables and outfit several classrooms, allowing older furniture - some dating back to the mid-2000s eMINTS era - to finally be retired.

Rather than letting those desks and tables go to waste, local churches stepped in to give them a second life.

The donation effort was organized by Ralph McClurg of the Mt. Vernon church of Christ and supported by the Aurora and Monett congregations, who worked together to coordinate a shipment of furniture and equipment to a private Christian school in La Palma, El Salvador.

The shipment included school desks, computer tables, chairs, medical equipment such as commodes and walkers, and even some playground items - all gathered from schools and community donors across Crane, Monett, and Mt. Vernon.

Steve Thompson of the Aurora church of Christ, who helped coordinate the effort, said the overseas school relies entirely on donated supplies. “This shipment was the best in updating the classroom experience,” Thompson said. “It’s a private Christian school, and these items made a huge difference for the students.”

Crane R-III Superintendent Dr. Kelli Rogers added, “We were fortunate to receive newer tables from Ozarks Technical Community College and the late Bryan College, upgrading our classroom furnishings. As a result, we found ourselves with a surplus of desks and tables that were no longer being used, along with several older computer tables that had previously been part of our elementary labs. When a local church began collecting furniture to send to schools in El Salvador, we were delighted to contribute these unused items to support their efforts and clean out storage classrooms. Knowing that these desks and tables are now being used by students in El Salvador brings us great joy. It’s a powerful reminder that what may no longer serve us can still have a meaningful and lasting impact elsewhere.”

Recently, members of the Aurora congregation received photos from La Palma showing students sitting at desks that once belonged in Missouri classrooms - a full-circle moment connecting small-town generosity to students half a world away.