When you're in elementary school, a month is a long time, but that is how long fourth and fifth-grade students in Ms. Stacy Avera's class at
John E. Ford K-8 have been collecting stuffed animals to send to a local nursing home.
Last year, students baked pies for a retirement home and they wanted to continue to help the elderly. One of the students suggested giving stuffed animals because they felt it would be an affordable way for all families to participate.
Students brought in stuffed animals from home, and collected them from parents and the community. They also wrote letters to the nursing home patients and plan to keep in touch throughout the holidays.
The community service project has given the students the opportunity to learn the lesson of giving back.
"It is always positive when children realize they are capable of giving back to the community.
It’s one of those life lessons that keeps on giving," said Ms. Avera. "In a world filled with negative stories, this is very heartwarming and it shows students everywhere that we can make a difference one student and, in this case, one classroom at a time."
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