KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Many people look around and see the needs of others. Some dream of ways to answer those needs. But for most, that’s all it. A dream.

But not for teacher Teri Sapp and her classroom assistant Carey Morford at Keystone Heights Elementary School. Understanding that some of their students needed reading material, they first dreamed of distributing leftover books to people in surrounding depressed neighborhoods. “Driving around in an ice cream truck,” Sapp said. “Except instead of giving away ice cream, I’d give away books.”

They began collecting books and the next summer they began “setting up shop.”

“We drove to the community of High Ridge Estates, where many of their students lived, found a spot and put out a free books sign. Then they set up bins of sorted books to be given away and waited for people to come, Morford said.

“The response was slow to begin with,” Morford said.

Undaunted, they continued the endeavor every other week. The participation built up slowly, she said. “And now we have 20 to 30 people stop by.”

The two began to see more needs and dream of other projects.

“We wanted to find a way to become more involved with the families of our students,” Sapp said.

In 2012, Seeds of Grace Inc. was born.

“We had a hard time coming up with the name,” Morford said. “Then somebody suggested Seeds of Grace and it just seemed to fit.”

According to their web site, the organization exists to provide educational opportunities and life-enriching skills for at-risk children and impoverished families and to foster relationships among all people looking for a new, more grace-filled way to live.

About a year ago, Morford gave a presentation to the Lake Region Kiwanis Club. Member Jude Sorano was so impressed with her talk that he “felt moved to give.” The result – Sorano donated a two-thirds of an acre plot of land to Seed of Grace inside High Grove Estates.

“She was very passionate,” Sorano said of Morford. “And I felt she was genuine in what she said. I knew it was the right thing to do.”

The dream continued with plans for a community garden on the land. Recently Seeds of Grace received a grant from Kiwanis International for $10,000 and the dream grew to include a well and an open structure to be used for storage and a gathering place for the residents of High Grove.

“We’ve received the permit for the well,” Morford said. “And we’ve applied for the permit for the structure. Hopefully it won’t be long before we have water and a meeting place.”

And hopefully, it won’t be long before more dreams begin to form for Sapp and Morford. Who knows what will happen then.