Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
ENLARGE
Heather Pieper, a seventh-grade student at the Twin Ridges Home Study Program in Nevada City, shops online for soccer balls, one of many items that could be donated to Hurricane Katrina victims through Oprah's Angels. The students raised $250 for donations.
Anyone needing a practical lesson in generosity might be able to learn from the kids at the Growing Valuable Learner's Center in Nevada City.
Thirty-six students - kindergarten to the eighth grade - at the center, which is a part of the Twin Ridges Home Study Charter School, have raised $250 to donate to Oprah Winfrey's Angel Fund for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Each of the children has created an estimate of how to spend the money by choosing items from the list on Winfrey's Web site Wednesday morning. Once a tally is made, the items for which most children are in favor will be bought online for a donation.
"They are excited about donating sports equipment and anything that would help students their age who were affected," said Kimberlee Evans, teacher of the junior high class at the center. Some of the items most students seem interested in donating include soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, picture frames, and bedding for children's rooms. Many of them are even eager to donate a park bench or fund planting flowers in parks.
Thirty-six students - kindergarten to the eighth grade - at the center, which is a part of the Twin Ridges Home Study Charter School, have raised $250 to donate to Oprah Winfrey's Angel Fund for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Each of the children has created an estimate of how to spend the money by choosing items from the list on Winfrey's Web site Wednesday morning. Once a tally is made, the items for which most children are in favor will be bought online for a donation.
"They are excited about donating sports equipment and anything that would help students their age who were affected," said Kimberlee Evans, teacher of the junior high class at the center. Some of the items most students seem interested in donating include soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, picture frames, and bedding for children's rooms. Many of them are even eager to donate a park bench or fund planting flowers in parks.
"Our school is based on developing solid, positive character traits, such as truthfulness, gratefulness and generosity," said Beth Klinghardt, teacher of the elementary class. "Because the kids were already in this frame of mind, when the tragedy hit it was only natural for them to say that we need to help these people out."
The fund raising has apparently taught the children several lessons.
"I felt sorry for (the victims)," said 11-year-old Alannah Inwards. "I don't get to help a lot of people, but I felt that I just wanted to do this so that I could have a good feeling inside that I was making someone happy."
Sonja Inwards, 10, gave out of her own allowance.
The fund raising has apparently taught the children several lessons.
"I felt sorry for (the victims)," said 11-year-old Alannah Inwards. "I don't get to help a lot of people, but I felt that I just wanted to do this so that I could have a good feeling inside that I was making someone happy."
Sonja Inwards, 10, gave out of her own allowance.
"I have a bank at home that has three sections: one for saving, one for spending, and one for the church," she said. "I got a few dollars from the spending (section) when I heard about (the hurricane)."
While the older children researched and made presentations about the hurricane to their younger peers, the smaller children drew pictures and captions encouraging those affected.
And they did everything within their means to raise the money.
"I went around to a couple of houses, door to door, and raised about $15 with that. I did the laundry and got all the money from my parents' pockets because my parents don't clean their pockets," said Paige Robuck, 13. Robuck is in favor of donating blankets to the victims and board games to children.
While the older children researched and made presentations about the hurricane to their younger peers, the smaller children drew pictures and captions encouraging those affected.
And they did everything within their means to raise the money.
"I went around to a couple of houses, door to door, and raised about $15 with that. I did the laundry and got all the money from my parents' pockets because my parents don't clean their pockets," said Paige Robuck, 13. Robuck is in favor of donating blankets to the victims and board games to children.
According to Robuck, the experience helped her learn how to budget money and to know that what you earn can be given to someone who needs it more, as well as details about the hurricane and its aftermath.
Above all, she said, she learned to be generous.
ooo
To contact staff writer Soumitro Sen, e-mail soumitros@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
Above all, she said, she learned to be generous.
ooo
To contact staff writer Soumitro Sen, e-mail soumitros@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
