It’s time to show off some of the generosity of the students and their families in the Peninsula School District.
Unable to get to all of the schools, I sought and got the assistance of volunteers at as many as possible to acquire the photos and words of those who make good things happen:
“Artondale students are amazing!” said the elementary school’s office manager, Debi Price. “Collecting food for the Gig Harbor FISH Food Bank, they competed every day against other classrooms. The prize was an extra ‘Otter recess.’ ”
Price said they collected more than 3,000 food items between Nov. 27 and Dec. 7, and the winning class was Mrs. Skaga/Ms. Gulbranson’s kindergartners with 661 food items. Second place was Mrs. Mahaffie’s second-grade class with 461 food items.
“When one of our mothers came into the school yesterday and saw all of the food, she said, ‘Well, that’s where all the food in my pantry went!’ ” Price said. “She had a big smile on her face. We are very proud of our students and their generous hearts for others during the holidays!”
Goodman Middle School Principal Scott McDaniel said about 60 students donated five pickup loads of food, toys, gifts and personal hygiene items to the food bank. In addition, a truckload of coats, gloves and personal care items also was donated to homeless teens in Seattle, he said.
“Goodman students were responsible for advertising and setting up collection bins,” McDaniel said. “They also met after school to sort the donations into categories, like new toys, used toys, personal hygiene, stuffed animals and food.”
Voyager Elementary’s student council officers — President Benicio Riva, Secretary Halle Redinbo and Vice President Sarah Riggs — proudly displayed the 153 toys they collected by Dec. 12 as part of the school’s Giving Tree project.
The Gig Harbor/Peninsula FISH Food Bank collected the toys that day so they’d be available early for families that needed them. Students continued to donate through Dec. 17 and collected nearly 100 more toys.
Some of our schools’ principals said the focus would look different at each school, and some students come from families that need the items.
Let’s hope our happy new year will see greatly improved numbers of quality jobs for our citizens to enable all our kids to give as well as receive.
Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by email at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.
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