Saltus Students ’24 Days Of Giving Back’
In order to celebrate the holiday season by giving back, students at Saltus Grammar School held a ’24 Days of Giving’ event, donating food to the Eliza DoLittle Society and care packages for Meals On Wheels recipients.
A spokesperson said, “The holidays are not just about receiving gifts; it is about family, community and appreciation. Carol Jack and Kathy Pacheco at the Saltus Upper Primary Department said ‘what could be better than teaching the students at an early age about the act of philanthropy to the community?’
“With this thought in mind, they spearheaded a food drive at our Lower and Upper Primary Departments, in the spirit of giving to the community.
“From 9th November until 11th December, the Primary Departments participated in their own ’24 Days of Giving.’ Each student contributed one non-perishable item for their classroom box. Parents and/or students could provide more if they wanted. The goal was to provide, the charity chosen, Eliza DoLittle Society, with 21 food boxes.
“Both Carol Jack and Kathy Pacheco were amazed at the generosity of the Primary Department, and they were able to provide Eliza DoLittle Society with 27 very full food boxes. The representative from Eliza DoLittle was left a bit speechless when the truck was loaded, and he shared the excitement that the Lower Primary students had when their food boxes were collected!
“In addition to this food drive, the Year 6 students were learning about ‘Stewardship’. Year 6 teacher, Alisa Sadeh shared that “the students were left feeling like they could do more after their contributions to the 24 Days of Giving.” The students discussed various options and they “chose this ‘Act of Kindness’ because [we] think everyone should feel special during the holidays.
“The program ‘Meals On Wheels’ services 185 people daily. The Year 6’s remembered back to Year 4 when they made Valentine’s Placemats to be received with their meal on that day. And then their brains got to thinking, if this small act can put a smile on someone’s face, what about a care package right before the holidays?’
“The students put a lot of thought into what should go into these boxes. They made a card, an ornament and then with the generosity of their parents, donations of socks, activity books, pens, packaged cookies and candy, travel size soaps and lotions, notepads and so much more were added.
“Also, Rosie Doughty, Year 5 teacher, organized a donation of toiletries provided by the Upper Primary Department Staff to Teen Haven and to Loads of Love.
“The Middle and Senior students donated to the Eliza DoLittle Society earlier this term and some students are providing holiday cards to ‘Meals on Wheels’ to accompany deliveries.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to these donations. “Everyone deserves to be happy and we hope that the day they receive their special gift is that much brighter.”
