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player ready...A group of third- and fourth-graders at Frankfort Square Elementary School in Frankfort decided to extend a helping hand and bring some comfort and joy to others this holiday season. After all, that’s what they’re all about in the school’s Helping Hands Club.
Under the co-sponsorship of Frankfort Square School social worker Kelly Collins and District 161 elementary school art teacher Joanna Maas-Olszta, the Helping Hands Club started earlier this month collecting donations of used toys for the Toy Box Connection, a local not for profit organization that distributes toys and other gift items to young people all during the year.
Collins said the club members began the project by making signs to advertise the toy drive and speaking to other kids in their classes about the collection. This week, they helped pack and load vehicles to send the toys off to other children, she said.
One project was not enough for these young helpers. During their weekly lunchtime/recess meetings in December, the club members made festive placemats to be used at the Christmas dinner at Morning Star Mission, a shelter in Joliet for the homeless.
Collins said the children usually meet once a week, but they gave up several lunchtime/recess periods during the week to accomplish their work.
“We wanted to get as many (placemats) done as possible,” Collins said.
The Morning Star Mission clients will also be the recipients of a used winter apparel drive organized by the Helping Hands Club.
Collins said the group organized and packed about eight large bags of coats, gloves, mittens and scarves which have been sent to the shelter.
It’s all been done to help others, but the members of Helping Hands have also benefited, Collins said.
“Giving and caring about these organizations, I think being able to have a part in it, it definitely builds their self esteem,” she said.
Collins said the children feel good about helping others and have “an understanding that there are people out there that are not as fortunate as them at times.”
The Helping Hands Club is looking forward to their first project of 2018. The club will participate in Project Linus, making fleece blankets for the not for profit organization which distributes blankets to children in need.
Money donations or donations of fleece in one-and-a-half yard pieces are requested to assist with the project. Donations of money and fleece material will begin Jan. 8 at Frankfort Square School, 7710 W. Kingston Drive. Information is at 815-469-3176.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.