Spring Brook News
A Call To Action: Learnings in Charity
Reported by natalie_hoyle@ipsd.org on 10/20/09
A few weeks ago, some children at Spring Brook Elementary School in Naperville learned that kids who lived nearby would not be able to celebrate Halloween the way we do because their parents have been especially hard hit economically and therefore would not be able to buy them a Halloween costume. Would they be interested in helping out? The answer was a resounding YES!
Eileen Priestley, PTA President, had heard about an initiative to collect gently used costumes for some students at another school in IPSD 204 who are facing extreme financial pressures. This is a project launched by Representative Darlene Senger, who feels that this year especially, families are feeling a financial drain due to the economy like never before. In fact, this was a project Senger initiated because she was involved in helping supply backpacks for school to these same families.
On Monday, the Spring Brook PTA presented 51 costumes to the administration staff at the neighboring school. Karen Do, Community Services Chairperson, hopes that this generation of children will grow up to readily embrace social responsibility, responding to people who are in need. She says, " Here in Naperville, we have been blessed because we have been able to protect our children from many things that can harm them. Unfortunately, by sheltering them, kids can become grown-ups who are oblivious to the struggles around them. One of our goals for the PTA is to teach children about giving, to help instill a sense of social responsibility for our children. To learn to be good citizens."
The Spring Brook PTA has been extremely busy this year with that mandate. They recently initiated an event to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation called the Huskie Hike. This was the brainchild of Karen Francis, former PTA President, and last year's PTA whose goal was to highlight a healthy lifestyle for the event. As with a walk-a-thon, the kids were challenged to raise money and make "laps" around the school. Says Connie Heniades, Huskie Hike Chairperson, "This was something that even the little ones in kindergarten could participate in."
Although it is still early in the school year, the PTA has plans for a very active year. Still on the books are a candy drive for Halloween, a food drive for Thanksgiving, a toy drive to wrap up the holidays, and a letter writing campaign to soldiers serving overseas for Valentine's Day. Happy giving!
-Karen Do
Helpful Students (jpg)
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