More local kids have the opportunity to partake in the services provided by the Plant City Family YMCA, courtesy of the first-grade students at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School.
During December of last year, the students decided to raise money for an organization and the local recreational center was their pick.
As a magnet school, they take part in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program.It allows them the opportunity to learn more lessons outdoors and learn about cultures from around the world. They become invested in agriculture and join clubs for running, books, and cooking, among others.
At that point in their semester, the students took part in a portion of their IB curriculum called “How the World Works,” which teaches them about financial literacy.
They also learn how to better serve their community.
In doing so, the first-graders decided to decorate and sell candy grams – candy cane reindeer, then give the proceeds to a worthy cause.
As a team, they hand-crafted the treats using pipe cleaners for antlers, pom poms for noses and other materials. Each student created at least five reindeer.
Rosalie Arias was one of the first-graders who participated in the charitable effort. She noted that her candy cane had a blueberry-mango twist to it and that her parents were “more than happy” about her kind deeds.
They put together commercials for the school news program and put up flyers to advertise their custom-made goodies – $1 a treat. They also offered them to family and friends. When all the reindeer were sold, they raised an impressive $542.
Nicole Johnson is a first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary who assisted the students with their project.
“Our biggest thing is taking action, for them to learn to take action,” Johnson said. “When they had their profits from their candy gram sale, we gave them options of things. ‘Where do you want this to go?’ A vast majority of the kids realized it’s bigger than them and they wanted to be helpers to other kids.”
They ultimately chose to send the proceeds to their local YMCA, after finding out that not all youth can afford to sign up and take part in many of the activities.
On Friday, Feb. 4, the students handed over a check to the Plant City Family YMCA for $542.
“We were naturally blown away, just one of those things that’s awesome,” said Paul Conley, district executive director at the Plant City Family YMCA. “We had no idea that this would be happening.”
He also noted that it brought tears to his eyes.
Conley and his staff plan to divide the funds into 15 to 20 sports scholarships for disadvantaged kids.
Outside the school cafeteria, Arias and other students gave speeches during the presenting of the check.
In fact, Arias is a member of the local YMCA and said she’s glad that others will get to enjoy the facility just like her.
“It made me happy because we’re helping other kids,” she said.
Johnson noted that this project not only taught her kids about money, but also the difference between needs and wants, and having compassion for others.
“It’s really a proud moment, as a teacher, that they really got the message – that it’s bigger than them.”
Conley added that it’s also teaching the students about becoming entrepreneurs.
Arias said she would like to do another charity for Easter and create bunnies. A different holiday, but the same objective.