Elementary school children respond to others in need
BUTLER TWP — A dozen needy Butler County children will be unwrapping Christmas gifts this year, thanks to the gift-giving of Center Township Elementary School students.
Students opted out of a classroom gift exchange about five years ago and instead began collecting money for children with county Children and Youth Services who can't afford toys, or sometimes, even basic winter clothes.
The school collected more than $2,300 from Center Township parents sending in donations during the past month. The donations provided 12 children each with roughly $190 in gifts. Those 12 sponsored children are ages 4 to 17.
The school is provided with the child's first name, age, gender, hobbies and Christmas wish-list.
Lauren Lutz, a fourth-grade teacher, coordinated the effort between second and sixth grades. She's been partnering with CYS to provide presents for five years, but said this is the school's largest effort.
“It keeps growing every year,” Lutz said.
The students participated every step of the way, from buying the gifts to wrapping and labeling them. It reinforces the idea that some aren't as lucky as they are.
“I always feel bad because they don't have as much stuff as we do,” said fifth-grader Anna Miller, 11.
Some children simply asked for underwear or a winter coat.
“They're asking for things they actually need, not what they want,” said fifth-grader Zoe Giles, 10. “It's better to give than to receive. You think about Christmas Day; they get everything they need.”
Some students went shopping with their parents to get the presents on the children's' wish lists. Ten-year-old Andre Brooks helped buy gifts for a 6-year-old girl, including a Monster High doll, Nintendo DS games, books and clothes.
And a 17-year-old girl who hopes to go to nursing school next year asked for school supplies: A laptop, a stethoscope and scrub outfits.While there are several churches, organizations and individuals who sponsored 350 CYS children, there are few children's groups giving to other children.Rochelle Graham, a resource family coordinator at CYS, said the 4H Bunny Club and Girl Scout troops have helped in the past, but Center Township Elementary is the only school that has participated in the program in recent years.Sixth-grader Peyton Seibert, who has helped with the project during the past three years, said it's been an eye-opening experience for him.“It's been great to know we can help other kids,” said Peyton, 12.“My favorite part is just knowing these kids have a better holiday,” he said.
