While many C.A. Frost students were designing cupcakes, others were gathering socks. Sixth- through ninth-grade students held a drive that collected more than 250 pairs, which were donated to The Other Way Ministries in Grand Rapids.
Seventh-grader Elizabeth Bursley said she was moved to help out by the sight of homeless people with unprotected feet. “They don’t have socks, their shoes are ragged,” she said. “That’s harsh, especially at this time of year, when it’s getting colder out.”
Meanwhile, in Kent City…
To welcome the holiday spirit (and cold weather), first-year Kent City Elementary teacher Lindsey Dillion brought a pajama drive, set up by Scholastic, that she had implemented at her previous teaching gig in Chicago. For every pair of pajamas collected, the publisher donates a book. The class collected 42 pairs of pajamas for the drive. Both the pajamas and the books will go to a local charity.
“My students were really enlightened by the idea of giving to other kids their age for the holidays; it definitely helped them be grateful for all that we have,” said Dillion. “The drive helped them give back to our community and gave the students a sense of pride in their accomplishment. They loved seeing the pajamas coming in every day, and enjoyed fundraising in the classroom by bringing in spare change.”
In addition to the PJ drive, 8-year-old Addisyn Robinson pioneered a third-grade warm clothes drive called Addy’s Warm Heart Donation Drive, and was featured on the local TV program Maranda Where You Live.
