Students efforts perpetuate tradition of giving

Cooper teachers can really wrap. Over eight years, they have covered thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts for children in need and their families.

Money for the annual holiday distribution is raised through a silent auction and craft sale. Each classroom creates its own theme basket, filled with donations from the students and auctioned to the highest bidder. The kids also create crafts to sell. This year, the sale raised $3,200.

“It was the people who came and paid for the baskets and bought our crafts” that made it possible to buy gifts,” said Cooper teacher Dawn Theelke.

Monday, teachers went on a shopping spree, filling 10 carts at Target in Superior — which provides wrapping paper and a dedicated lane. The trip took more than four hours and netted gifts for 86 children.

“Several kids showed up to help with the shopping,” said Cooper teacher Emily Sharrow, and they are the best at finding just the right gift.

Spending time thinking of others also serves as a lesson in community.

“That’s where it becomes real for them,” Sharrow said.

The Animal Rescue Federation also got a helping hand from some Great Lakes Elementary School students this week when 25 fifth graders walked to the shelter to present the staff with $440.57 they collected through a school-wide “For the Paws” fundraiser.

“A lot of them come over here,” said their teacher, Jen Sullivan. “They live in the neighborhood so they have a special affinity for it.”

The shelter houses 17 dogs and nearly 50 cats, according to ARF employee Misty Dalton. The donation could be used for a number of costs — food, vaccines, spay/neuter services and veterinarian bills. Over the last week, Dalton said, a number of people have dropped by the shelter to offer some Christmas cheer in the form of donations. Some even donated to the shelter in lieu of gifts for relatives.

The third grade students at Great Lake also held a glasses drive to collect used glasses for the local Lion’s Club. A food drive was also held for a local food shelf.

“We’re helping to nurture and raise responsible, respectful citizens,” said Principal Cindy Magnuson.

Tags: news, education, money, christmas, animal