Minden students help North Carolina school after fire, raise money for children’s hospital
It’s never too early to start helping others. Just ask the kindergarten and first grade students at Minden Elementary School.
Last month, the school’s two kindergarten classes (47 students in total) teamed up to organize a school supply drive after learning about a fire at J.C. Sawyer Elementary School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on the last day of 2023. Though no structural damage was reported, the school’s kindergarten classrooms suffered from fire, smoke and water damage.
During a school meeting where kindergartners and their teachers talked about the fire and the students affected, Minden kindergarten teacher Jenny Hemsath said the students wanted to step up and help that school out.
“It was nice to see immediate empathy,” she said in an interview. “They were able to connect to what others might be feeling and they wanted to help. I think it took a while to wrap their heads around how we could help … but they were very into it.”
The classes collected about 30 pounds of supplies including pencils, markers and glue.
“No matter how old you are, you can still help,” 6-year-old Mason Freitas said in an interview about what he learned through the experience.
The drive came about a month after Minden first graders raised about $1,400 for Renown Children’s Hospital by selling $2 handmade friendship bracelets and $1 cotton candy late last year, far exceeding their $500 goal. The school’s two first grade classes of about 100 students were inspired to help the children’s hospital after speaking with first grade teacher Madi Hukkanen’s sister, who works there as a nurse, about her job.
The students made the bracelets and cotton candy with help from parents, volunteers and local high school students. They also made posters and a video to promote their sale.
“They're pretty impressive, these little friends, and they definitely like to give back,” said first grade teacher Stacia Almeida in an interview.
Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at rocio@thenvindy.com.
— This story is used with permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other Nevada Independent stories.