Eugene Field students are giving back
ALANNA WOLF-ARMSTRONG Staff Writer
Samantha Raasch, president of the Eugene Field Parent Teacher Organization, said that the goal of the compassion drive is to teach children that being kind and helping others when they are in need are things everyone should do whenever they can.
With winter weather and the holidays quickly approaching, getting children to school with everything they need to stay warm can be a challenge.
To alleviate some of the financial strain on families, students at Eugene Field Elementary School will be collecting items for the school’s first Holiday Compassion Drive, organized by the Eugene Field Parent Teacher Organization.
Beginning Monday, Eugene Field students can donate items for the drive that will continue through Friday, Dec. 18.
“Next week is Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week, so we wanted to do something that would allow our students to learn about compassion while benefiting their friends and classmates,” said PTO President Samantha Raasch.
Because the PTO wanted to do something that would benefit the children at the school, all the items collected will be used for the students. If a child needs something collected from the Holiday Compassion Drive, that child can take that item home and keep it.
“Sometimes children just don’t get to school with everything they need to be happy and productive that day,” Raasch said. “Whether they were just in a rush that day and forgot some things, or if there is a bit of a money crunch due to holidays, for whatever reason there may be, if something happens and a child doesn’t make it to school with a hat, or gloves, we want them to be able to just grab what they need and go about their day.”
The class that collects the most items will be given a special pajama and movie day at school.
Raasch said that overall, the goal of the PTO and the Holiday Compassion Drive is to teach the children of Eugene Field compassion for their fellow students, to show kindness, and to help others.
In addition to the students’ collection efforts, area dentists have donated toothpaste and toothbrushes. Edward Jones, Hall Insurance, South Paws Veterinary Clinic, and Kizer Collision Repair have also donated to the drive, according to Raasch.
“It is just fantastic that they’re willing to help us out. They’re setting an amazing example of giving for our students to follow,” Raasch said.
Items needed include travel-size toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs, hairbrushes, wet wipes, socks, undergarments, hats, gloves, sweatpants, leggings, sweatshirts, and t-shirts.
Clothing items will be for children in grades Pre-K through fourth grade, and the sizes of donated clothing should reflect that.
There are no limitations on how many items students and their families decide to donate, but members of the PTO request that personal items like undergarments, socks, toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant be unused. Gently used sweats and t-shirts free of rips and stains are welcome.
