Aidan Carr, 12, imagines the reactions of homeless children who will receive bags of clothing, blankets, toys, school supplies and toiletries donated by St. John the Evangelist Catholic School.
“I’ve been picturing a lot of smiles,” said the sixth-grader, flashing a huge smile herself.
Together, the students in the middle and elementary school and their families collected items to fill 38 bags for homeless families in Northern Colorado as part of a school-wide service project.
The bags contain blankets, socks, school supplies, stuffed animals, books, toys, clothing, toothpaste, shampoo and other toiletries.
One holds a soccer ball. Another, a Rubik’s cube, while others have toy trucks, hair brushes, a Barbie doll, Monster High jewelry and much more.
All are jam packed with well-wishes and kindness from the students who carefully selected their donations and their families that bought and donated the different goods.
“I think this will lighten up their lives a little,” said Benji Ocasio, a second-grader.
His classmate, Mathias May added, “They will be surprised and happy and their life will be a little better. Someone cares about them.”
This week, during National Catholic Schools Week, students of all grades came together for a joint service project. The school, with the help of parent volunteers, decided to collect items for Catholic Charities Northern to hand out to homeless students whose families seek help in the agency’s daytime programs as well as the overnight shelter.
The students learned about homelessness as well as the joy of giving by helping decide what to donate and by thinking about the people the bags will help, explained school principal Nichole Rottinghaus.
Savannah Miles, a sixth-grader, imagined how the two fuzzy blankets she donated will feel.
“They can be warm and comfortable while sleeping, especially in this cold season,” she said.
The school will deliver the bags to the charity in Fort Collins on Friday, after which the goods will be given to families in need.
“It spreads our faith and what we believe in,” Aidan said. “You can help people.”
Pamela Johnson: 970-699-5405, johnsonp@reporter-herald.com, www.twitter.com/RHPamelaJ.
