In lieu of holiday parties, the faculty and students at The Walker School decided to help make the holidays special for people around Atlanta. On Dec. 18, students in the Lower School took part in arts and crafts projects for various nonprofits around Atlanta as a part of the school’s first ever Day of Giving.
“There are so many strengths in our students, so what does it look like when you bring them altogether? We wanted to find a way to show them the power of collaboration and giving back,” said Megan Nellen, principal of the Lower School.
From a student’s aunt who is a nurse at the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to being inspired by a local teacher who was on maternity leave, the projects for Day of Giving were inspired through personal connections within the community.
Over 280 students between first and fifth grade wrote personalized notes and wrapped books for students at Powers Ferry Elementary School and collected more than 1,600 for Books for Africa; made two dozen fleece blankets for young patients at CHOA; wrote inspirational quotes and created more than 200 frames and 200 flowers with the messages for sick and elderly patients served by Meals on Wheels; and made 100 baby burp cloths to fill “blessing bags” distributed by The Hope Center for new moms.
“Our goal was to make 24 blankets from the three classes of second grade, but we made two extra because it was fun,” said Ashwin Anand, 8. “I hope the children get warm using the fleece blankets! I felt really very happy doing this.”
After a successful Day of Giving, the school plans to continue providing opportunities for students to be active in community service projects.
“Whether as an individual or as a group, we got to show the students that even as kids, they can make a positive impact in their local community,” added Nellen.
In other news: At its 7th Annual Making Caring Count for Christmas Program, The Associated Credit Union Foundation provided holiday gifts for over 750 children and senior citizens in Metro Atlanta. Gifts benefited children and seniors assisted by the ACU Foundation's charitable partners: Norcross Co-op Ministry, Quinn House, United Military Care, Salvation Army and Wilderness Works.
Aaron’s Inc. donated more than 250 turkeys to Action Ministries providing warm meals to low-income families and homeless men, women and children during the holiday season. The 50-year-old nonprofit mobilizes communities to address the challenges of poverty by focusing on hunger relief, housing and education.
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