‘Dear Robert, Thank you for protecting us. You are a brav sodser. I hope nobody in the Army is hrte. From Spencer and Hayley.?
This was just one of many letters that students at Harvey-Swanson Elementary wrote Feb. 25 as part of a workshop in the school’s Festival of Kindness.
Students who participated in ‘Desert Angels? wrote letters, drew pictures and boxed up items including chips, candy, cookies, toothpaste, and soap to be sent to U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
Lt. Col. Scott Ross, who has been in the U.S. Army for 20 years and is stationed in St. Louis, drove to Michigan to speak with students about the Army and how they can help the soldiers, who are busy helping others.
‘A soldier’s life isn’t just about defending and fighting, it’s about helping,? said Ross, who in his career with the Army has traveled all over Europe, Central America and the Far East, helping in the aftermath of natural disasters. ‘Our soldiers help to train militaries. They learn about other cultures and help teach about ours. We have soldiers helping to keep the peace.?
Desert Angels was one of 19 workshops at the festival, at which students learn about kindness to others, kindness to self and kindness to animals and the environment. Students were able to attend three workshops, one from each category, as well as two assemblies? one called ‘Tough? about bullying and teasing and another called ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.?
This was the second Festival of Kindness Harvey-Swanson has hosted. It is part of a 4-year festival cycle. Other festivals are the Festival of Arts, Festival of Science and Festival Internationale.
‘This is a really special one because we want our kids to look beyond themselves and see ways to give back to the community,? said Helen Clemetsen, Harvey-Swanson principal. ‘It’s hard for elementary-age kids to look beyond themselves at times. This opens them up to how their help is needed out there and ways to give back.?
A parent committee decides upon workshops in the fall and uses a resource list. Animals are very popular with the kids, so the school offered four different workshops about animals.
Carol Kushner, an educator from the Michigan Humane Society talked to kids about the need for being kind to and responsible about animals. She advised them not to run wild inside their homes with their dogs, as that is often a reason dogs are turned in to shelters.
‘It’s all about love, respect and safety,? Kushner said. ‘These are living beings with feelings.?
Carol Janello and Roxanne Sharpe of the K-9 Stray Rescue League brought two dogs who are up for adoption? Starsky, a lab mix, and Peekaboo, a Brussels Griffon. All dogs that the rescue league has were scheduled to be euthanized by the Genessee County Animal Control. The league rescues the animals and places them in foster homes until permanent homes can be found.
Second-grader Katie Hughes said she wants to talk her dad into getting one of the dogs.
‘I just saw that cute, adorable dog and I want it,? she said. ‘I want that puppy.?
Katie had fun attending her workshops, which included ‘Stop, Drop and Roll? where she learned about fire safety from the Brandon Fire Department and ‘Paws for a Cause,? where she learned about dogs who are raised to serve others.
Alexis Hayes, also a second-grader, helped make fleece blankets for sick children in a ‘Blanket of Love? workshop and made a card for a girl who has been hospitalized 50 times in the workshop ‘Adopt-a-friend? Make a Kid Smile!?, where students made letters and cards for children with serious illnesses.
‘At Harvey-Swanson we focus on kindness each and every day,? Clemetsen said. ‘This festival promotes that and brings people from the community in. It’s a gift of time from the volunteers that we greatly appreciate. This will be a day we never forget? kids, staff, parents and the presenters alike.?