Jen Edwards, a Reading Specialist, and Nolan Kitfield, a Math Specialist, both from Northfield Elementary School, dropped off boxes of cards made by preschoolers right up through 6th graders to LifePath’s headquarters. This was the result of their school’s community project about kindness and empathy, starting with kind Valentine’s messages drafted by the students with help from librarian Pam Burke, who read them the story “The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles” by Michelle Cuevas, for inspiration. After hearing the story, a young student said, “It is like we are casting out our cards to the ocean for anyone who needs their heart filled up.”
“It’s great for our students to think about what an offering to someone they don’t know can mean. Our school themes are kindness and empathy, so sending out kindness to people who could use a smile [fits with that theme],” said Edwards.
Kitfield added, “It’s also a true purpose for their writing and their creating, they get to have that in mind while they are doing something, so they have a real audience for their work. The kids love doing projects like this, and when their work leaves the school and goes out to other people, that’s a big deal.”
1st and 6th grade “buddies” from Sanderson Academy, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District elementary school in Ashfield, worked together to create their cards, while first grade students made the cards at Shutesbury Elementary. Children at an after-school program created the cards at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School.
While looking through the cards, Lynne Feldman, Associate Executive Director at LifePath, exclaimed “They’re going to love them! These cards are really going to make people’s day!”
Some of the cards had funny jokes in them, including, “Want to hear a pizza joke? Nevermind, it’s too cheesy!” Others included drawings and multimedia artwork.
Jane Severance, Nutrition Program Director at LifePath, said, “So many times when we drop these off through our Meals on Wheels drivers, you’ll go back six months later and they’ll still have it on their refrigerators. They save these . . . they have them by their chairs.”
If you or someone you know lives in Franklin County or the North Quabbin region, is age 60 and older, and would benefit from receiving a hot noontime meal, please call LifePath at 413-773-5555.
