A Special Letter, Please Read

It was early Tuesday morning when a white van pulled up to The Cherokee School in Orange County, FL. Unfettered by the fact that this particular school is for students with severe behavior students, Marc Mero was at the back end of the vehicle pulling out sound equipment. I’m a teacher at Cherokee with a masters degree in Special Education, and I was arm-in-arm with three of my students as we approached him. Mr. Mero looked up, stopped what he was doing and looking each of my boys in the eye, didn’t hesitate to reach out his hand to them. Unknowingly, he had just given something to three boys that have otherwise known lives of anguish and pain.

Reaching out to all students to make the right choices is what this organization does like no other. As Mr. Mero shared his life story that all of my students could completely relate to, this man, selflessly gave his mind, his heart, and his strength to anyone that listened. Students, administrators, and teachers including myself, were either rolling in laughter or shedding actual tears as he touched every one of us with an honest testimony about consequences and success.

I’m writing to tell you what Mr. Mero is far too humble to admit. He’s been running his now Non-Profit organization, Champion of Choices, since 2007 without financial help. He forges on each week presenting his exciting program to students all over Orange County. He constantly makes changes and additions to his presentation after he senses what the students he visits need. His personal interest in the lives of all youth is proven each time he shows his desire to reach out. He is a man of action that deserves our support.

I know Marc Mero has accepted this as his calling, and I know that when you understand how many more student success stories will be possible if you join his team in this mission, donating to this cause will be something you’ll always want to be a part of.

- Valerie Simons, MA ESE Cherokee School Staff