Meals on Wheels will be delivering a little something extra prior to Christmas thanks to the Parent Teacher Organization at West Elementary.
Nutrition will be accompanied by a Christmas present — goody bags filled with items donated by the students, such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, powder, toothbrushes, mouthwash, socks, lotion, body wash, shaving cream, puzzle books, homemade Christmas cards, etc.
PTO president Erin Scott says the project is called “WE Care” which stands for West Elementary Cares.
“We are hoping to teach our students the joy of giving, plus bring joy to the recipients of our bags,” said Scott. “For two weeks we have been collecting items, with each student bringing one small item. We also asked them to make Christmas cards so we could put one in each bag.”
Volunteering to help collect items were high school Key Club members.
“Our original goal was 150 bags for both men and women, but I think we will have closer to 200,” said Scott. “We are so excited to be doing something like this together as a school. It has worked out better than I could have ever imagined.”
West Elementary principal Marsha Newman says the new program is an asset.
“It’s just great to have our group helping others,” said Newman. “We want our children to know how important it is to help others by giving to those less fortunate than themselves. I want to thank Erin and her husband, Justin, for all they are doing for our school.”
Approximately 40 teachers, children and their parents gathered in the cafeteria Monday night to assemble the bags that will be distributed by Meals on Wheels, a program that provides nutritious meals five days a week to the elderly and individuals who cannot leave their homes.
Also at the event were two Warren County Middle School Interact members, Caden Brownyard and Shawn Duncan, who spoke about leadership, responsibility and kindness through giving.
The bags will be taken to Meals on Wheels this week for distribution prior to Christmas. WE Care is scheduled to become an annual event.