Holy Cross kids work to feed a needy family

The money these two first graders from Holy Cross School in Albany earned doing these chores will buy a needy family Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings.

Michael, Danielle and the other students in Lynn Dollard's first grade class signed contracts agreeing to perform a chore or task for their parents in exchange for 50 cents. The money will be pooled together to purchase the dinner items.

Fresh approach

The school, explained Sister Mary Ellen Owens, RSM, principal, adopted a family during the last school year. Each month, a different class is responsible for collecting food and other needed items for three children and their parents. Classes even provide birthday gifts for the children.

"Last year, when given the present, the little girl said, `I never got a birthday present with pretty wrapping,'" Sister Mary Ellen said. "They are a very poor family."

Holiday treat

The 29 first graders discussed with their parents what they could do to earn the money to purchase the items. The chore, Mrs. Dollard said, "had to be something parents thought was worth 50 cents."

Initially, some of the students said that they had money at home and could just bring in some of that. But she explained that they had to work for the money so that when they sat down for their Thanksgiving meal, they could remember the effort they had made and know that someone else was enjoying a meal because of it.

Broom time

But the work was worth it, he said: "I feel good. I hope they like the mashed potatoes."

For window washer Danielle, the labor wasn't much of a sacrifice. "I'm only going to clean four of them," she explained. "I like cleaning so much."

Because of her efforts, the adopted family "will get lots of food," she said.

Laundry day

He earned his 50 cents by helping his mother put away the laundry. "It's pretty easy," he said. "I've helped my mom put it away before. I only had to put away my baby sister's clothes, my clothes, the dish towels, towels and wash cloths."

If he hadn't done this, he said, the family, "wouldn't eat on Thanksgiving."

The thought of a family going hungry on Thanksgiving is not pleasant for classmate Sarah Shaw. "That would be very sad," she said.

She earned her money by helping her father do the grocery shopping. She knew the effort was "for the poor family." If she hadn't done her chore, she said, "they wouldn't have any food."

Making a difference

Sister Mary Ellen agreed, saying that the first graders realize that they're helping. "I think they understand that the kids don't have the same kinds of things they have," she said. "And they understand that they wouldn't have Thanksgiving dinner."

The contract, the principal said, was a good idea. "I love it," she said. "It's great. It's the kids making a commitment. It's coming from the child. They remember it better that way."

Family example

In fact, the school is involved in several other food drive projects. The whole school is collecting food for the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the fifth grade is hosting a mini-bazaar to raise money for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The first graders' project has helped the students learn several lessons, Mrs. Dollard said. Besides fitting into the religion curriculum, the project included social studies, math and science lessons.

She hopes her students realize, "Oh, wow, I gave dinner to someone."

(11-27-97) [[In-content Ad]]