In Schools, a Season's Lesson of Altruism
Gormon Crossing first-graders Elizabeth Harvey, left, and Kasey Grant check out some of the many toys the school is donating to a toy drive.
(By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Across Howard County, thousands of students have been participating in holiday drives and fundraisers. Here's a look at what several of them have done.
At Gorman Crossing Elementary School, Principal Cheryl Gail had anticipated 50 to 60 toys from a toy drive. But "after the first day, we had one afternoon kindergarten class that brought over 60 toys," she said.
The toys kept pouring in, and by early this week, the students had collected more than 500 new toys -- nearly one toy for every child at the school. They will be donated through Starbucks Holiday Angels, a toy drive at the Starbucks in Laurel.
At Ellicott Mills Middle School, students began a fundraiser last year for survivors of the tsunami. They decided to conduct a similar effort for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
"It was so successful for the tsunami victims, and the students said, 'Let's do it again this year,' " student council adviser Jill McGrath said. For several weeks, the council has been selling "candy cane grams," with notes from the students who purchased them, for 50 cents each. Tomorrow, council members will go to classes and distribute the candy canes to the student recipients. The proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross to help victims from the Gulf Coast hurricane. The students expected to sell more than 1,000 candy canes.
One of the most ambitious efforts has taken place at Mount Hebron High School, where for the past 25 years students have been collecting canned goods and money. This year alone they have gathered more than 42,000 cans of food and raised more than $10,000.
Tomorrow, students will deliver the canned goods, along with fresh food and toiletries, to about 110 families. Angela Sugg, a teacher helping coordinate the drive, said, "It's just a great way to celebrate -- by giving."
Mobile
Email