Some sixth-grade students at Gifford School are proving that a little compassion and empathy can go a long way.
Earlier this year, students in Ms. Hendrix’s sixth grade seminar class chatted virtually, hearing powerful stories from Florida families who lived in communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. But instead of standing by and simply feeling sorry for those individuals, the students decided they, despite their age, could drive something meaningful and positive.
The sixth graders launched a fundraising initiative to support their peers in Florida and set an ambitious goal of raising $500. The hope was that they could fund “Take Me Home” bags for the students that would include everything from snacks to deodorant.
"I know I’d feel good at the end of the day if I knew I helped at least one person in Florida,” said sixth-grader Charlotte Khreish.
But the students will be helping many more children than that. The students surpassed their fundraising goal, ultimately raising $1,022 through various initiatives, including collecting spare change and skipping snacks to save money. Their generosity will help provide critical supplies to those in need, leaving a lasting impression not only on those impacted by the hurricane but also on their entire class.
"Sometimes instead of complaining about stuff that we don't get, maybe we should focus on the things we already have and be grateful,” said sixth-grader Malachi Mcbride.
These students proved that kindness and teamwork can create meaningful change, showing us all the power of young people with big hearts.