When Kim Viazanko’s daughter read one of the latest ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul? installments, she told her mom that kids couldn’t do anything big to help others.
Viazanko wanted to change that attitude.
On March 24, more than 600 students participated in S.O.C.K.S or ‘serving our community kids? style? at Independence Elementary School. For one morning the entire school stopped normal activities and participated in different community service events to help those in need in the community.
‘As a parent, I always ask ‘What can I do for my kids??,? Viazanko said, S.O.C.K.S chairman said. ‘It was time the kids said ‘What can I do?? I want them to feel just as good about giving as they do receiving.?
Leading up to the morning of service activities, representatives from the Haven shelter came in and spoke with the students about helping others in need.
Each grade took a different charity and activity to support. Kindergarten classes collected soaps, shampoos and other personal items to create 100 female and 40 male toiletries bags, colored and decorated by the students themselves, to distribute to local shelters.
‘One of the kindergartners was drawing a heart with a rainbow on her bag,? Viazanko said. ‘She told me she wanted that person to know she loved them.?
The first graders were helping out local animal charities. In addition to making homemade dog bones and pine cone bird feeders, a pop can drive collected $263 for Pop Cans for Pooches.
‘They’re for dogs and cats,? Ethan Fox, Independence Elementary first grader and bone expert, said while making the donated canine treats.
Second graders kept busy collecting books to donate to libraries in Pontiac schools. Not only did they donate the books, each student also did a book review on their chosen selection and made a personalized book jacket to go along with it.
The aroma of muffins filled the air in the third grade hallway. Meals on Wheels was the lucky recipient of 1,050 homemade muffins that arrived in 185 personalized containers. Each box came complete with an encouraging note and magnet made by the third graders.
‘I put a flower vase and a momma and baby bird,? Lauren Sharkey, third grader, said. ‘I just thought of something that would be nice for them.?
Sprawled out throughout the library and computer lab were the fourth graders diligently working on 70 fleece blankets that they donated to the child oncology and neonatal departments at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital.
‘Our fingers hurt since we’ve been working since 9 a.m.,? fourth grader Renee Morency said of the morning project. Along with Jenna Herkness, the two measured out where to cut fringe on the brightly-colored blankets.
Rounding up the morning’s endeavors were the fifth graders. Entertaining local seniors, the students served refreshments, put on a musical performance and conducted interviews to find out what life was like for the guests when they were in fifth grade.
‘Everyone of the 600 kids got to do something for somebody else and make a difference,? Debbie Geisler, volunteer, said.
All of the materials utilized in the S.O.C.K.S program were donated or had funds raised for them, according to Viazanko.
‘It was a success all the way around, from parents to staff to kids,? Viazanko said.
Viazanko is already looking into promoting the program to other schools in the district. Independence has already decided to make the event an annual activity.
‘The kids got it, they really did,? Viazanko said.