News

Second graders learn the art to give

By Scott Wagar

12/23/2013

Lori Erickson’s second grade class has a lot to feel good about this Christmas week because in the month of December they raised money to assist in purchasing hats and mittens, for kids in the area, which went into the Jaycee’s Cheerboxes.

The students raised the money by selling 517 candy canes in their classrooms. Once they raised the money the students went to the Golden Rule where they acquired 18 hats and mittens.

Assisting the students in their purchases was Golden Rule employee, Allison McWhinney, who for the third year in a row has donated over $100 to the students’ project.

Erickson’s second grade class has a number of reasons to feel good about spreading cheer in Bottineau because since September they have conducted a community service project each month.

“We are doing Nine Months of Caring,” Erickson said. “My whole object with the program was to do nine months of caring so the kids use giving and doing for others, which covers every one of our Character Counts pillars.”

Outside of the month of December, the second graders have conducted the following projects.

•  September – The students assisted Dakota College at Bottineau’s Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture in its vegetable harvest.
•  October – The students visited St. Andrew’s Health Center where they created tray favors for the facility’s residents.
•  November – The students crafted ornaments and collected cookies for soldiers in the Peace of Home project.  

Erickson said that since the Nine Months of Caring it has been enjoyable to see her students learn about being volunteers and helping others, which has given the kids a special sensation inside of their hearts.

“It has been fun to see the kids get ‘warm fuzzes’ from helping others,” she said.

In February, the second grade class will take part in Project Linus where the students will make two children’s blankets which will go to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or need a blanket which provides warmth, security and love.

The kids will also be joining up with DCB’s baseball team to do a project.

However, the second graders are still looking to volunteer their time to others.

“I have three months available for other projects,” Erickson said. “Please let me know if you are aware of other local organizations that could use the help of 18 second graders.”

Individuals, who wish to have Erickson’s second grade class volunteer, can call 228-3014.