Local elementary schools are receiving attention for acts of giving back.
Six fourth-grade students in Kay DeMonte’s class at Immaculate Conception School in Dennison organized a unique campaign recently in partnership with the Scholastic Book Club.
The students offered to collect pajamas, adult-baby, from anyone within the school interested in donating. Scholastic Book Club then agreed to provide an age-appropriate book along with every set of pajamas.
DeMonte explained that it is her goal to teach her students the importance of giving back to those in need.
“I want them to know that we’re here to give,” said DeMonte. “It’s not always about receiving, but it’s also about giving to others who don’t have what we have.”
DeMonte noted that everyone in the school was excited to be a part of the campaign.
“Look at this kind, look at this kind. They were so excited,” DeMonte explained. “We don’t have a very big school down here, but the kids are wonderful. They were so excited about bringing in pajamas.”
Friday, December 8th marked the final day for pajama donations and the final tally, 75 pairs along with a book will be donated to homeless shelters throughout Tuscarawas and Stark Counties.
But, the giving didn’t end there for DeMonte’s class. As part of a book they’d read in class, the students had a project to create a business.
DeMonte explained they chose to design a lemonade stand that they set up and operated within the school to collect money.
The school then partnered with Tuscarawas Central Catholic Elementary School students to raise additional funds. The two schools combined to collect three-thousand food items and 850 toys.
“Those totals far exceed what we collected last year and surpassed the goals we had set for this year,” explained TCC Elementary Principal Matt Ritzert. “We’re extremely thankful for the generosity of our families and friends for supporting the effort.”
DeMonte’s students actually came together on Friday, December 8th to go and purchase toys to donate. All the toy and food donations will benefit the Share-A-Christmas program.
“I always say, try to think of others,” said DeMonte. “Think of others first before you think of yourself. We’re very lucky to have what we have and [we] need to remember that there are others that don’t have what you have.”
Michaela Madison Reporting
