Resurrection first graders already 'making a difference' | Community Spirit

Resurrection School first graders were recently challenged by their teacher, Ms. Vangampler, to make a difference in their world.  She states, “There are many worthy causes in our local community and the world at large, and it’s impossible to support them all.  However, I am challenging the first grade class to help as many people as they can.  I will give each child $5 to use to 'go make a difference'.

Today, the first graders presented their projects to a small audience of parents and grandparents and shared how the experience made them feel.

“You will be amazed at their ideas to make a difference in their community and their world,” promised Resurrection Principal Theresa Berendes.

They are pretty remarkable.

Here are a few ideas those six-year-old students executed:

ASHTON ELPERS

“I made a difference for Smile on Down Syndrome by selling suckers.  Smile on Down Syndrome helps families in need who have children with Down Syndrome.   I have a cousin with Down Syndrome.  Every year we do the Buddy Walk to raise money for Smile.  Mom and Dad donated 200 suckers.  I made a 'Making a Difference tag' for each sucker.  I sold each sucker for 50 cents.  Selling all my suckers would have turned my $5 into $105.  I sold to family and friends.  They spread the word about what I was doing and their families and friends wanted to buy and donate.  I’m proud to say I made a difference for Smile by raising $300!”

KENDAL WAUGERMAN

“For our Make a Difference project, I chose to donate my $5 to the PAAWS organization.  PAAWS is a no kill animal shelter.  That means they find foster families for dogs and cats that do not have homes.  Foster families take care of them until their “forever” adoptive family is found.

I also raised more than $100 for PAAWS.  I bought food, toys, and treats.  I also bought collars for the dogs and cats in need.  This will help save the lives of some wonderful animals.  If you would like to help the MANY homeless puppies and kittens, please visit the PAAWS website at www.paaws.org.”

NOLAN JOHNSON

“I am lucky to have a grandpa who likes to help people in need.  I have always wanted to know what he is talking about when he says he visits people from St. Vincent de Paul and from the Ozanam Shelter.  When my teacher said that we needed to use money to help someone in the community, I asked my grandpa if I could go visit some of the people he helps.  He told me that sometimes the people need more money than I had, but that going to visit them would mean a lot to them. I decided to take cookies, make cards, and visit two elderly people that my grandpa visits and helps.

My first stop was with a lady named Irene.  She is an older woman who doesn’t have many people to visit her.  She loved the card I made and the cookies. My second visit was with an 87 year old lady named Mary.  Her husband died last year and she didn’t have enough money to pay for her electric, so she couldn’t live at home for two weeks.  We got to visit her on the day she got to move back into her apartment.  She was very nice to talk to and I was happy that my cookies and card made her happy.

I had fun helping some of the people my grandpa helps and I hope that as I grow up that I can continue to help people.”

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