Resurrection First Graders Find Ways To Make A Difference

It’s amazing how one, simple good idea can develop and grow into something really special.

Four years ago, Jennifer Vangampler decided to teach her first graders at Resurrection School in Evansville a lesson about making a difference.

She gave each of them $5 from her own pocket, and told them to use the money to make an impact somewhere.

Many raised additional money by asking family members for donations or holding fundraisers, and they gave the money they raised that first year to a variety of people and places.

She continued the project; and this year, she and fellow first grade teacher Jennifer Folz  donated funds so that 28 first-graders received $5 each. They were told to use the money for someone or something in their local community — or even across the globe.

The teachers said, “There are many worthy causes in our local community and the world at large. Go make a difference.”

And the students did. They took the $140 and through donations and fundraising efforts, they turned it into more than $3,440 which they donated to local animal shelters, volunteer fire departments and even to a village in Liberia.

“This year they were all very creative,” Vangampler said. One first-grader stood in front of the eighth-grade class, and asked them to collect aluminum cans for recycling. He promised the $5 AND homemake chocolate cookies to the student who brought in the most cans.

Another student raised $535 for her aunt who has cancer, but no medical insurance; and a third student recorded himself reading “The Little Engine That Could” for the patients at St. Mary’s Rehab. He received a note back from a patient who thanked him, noting “it brought tears to my eyes that you care,” adding, “I will be like the little engine, and do the best that I can.”

By mid-winter, the money had been donated, and the two teachers were busy with new projects in their classrooms.

That’s when an envelope arrived addressed to “Pair of Jennys, care of Resurrection School.” Inside they found a note written by Mr. G., an anonymous Evansville benefactor, who wrote, “I don’t know you but you make me proud.” He had included $500.

Vangambler said, “I was a little surprised. Okay, a lot surprised.”

The teachers gathered their students together, and told them about the thank you note and the money from Mr. G. Then they asked for suggestions about how the money should be used.

Soon there was consensus. The children decided that it should go to teachers in their building, including physical education and health teacher Michele Green, music teacher Krista Dall, art teacher Jewell Joffray and resource teachers Sondra Chancellor and Donna Scheller.

“We put ideas out to them, and they jumped on the idea of giving money to those teachers. They love those teachers.”

When the five teachers were summoned to one of the first grade classrooms, they received $50 each. “They were pretty shocked,” she said. No decision has yet been made on how to spend the other $250, but it may be used to purchase books which reinforce the program.

Both say it’s rewarding to see how their students chose to spend the money.

Vangampler says the idea is now spreading across the Diocese of Evansville.

Her brother, Mike Seibert, is the deacon at St. Peter Celestine Parish in Celestine and at St. Raphael Parish in Dubois.

She recently attended all four weekend Masses there, and her brother explained the program to parishioners. After Mass she handed out $5 bills to 88 children — ages five through the teens — in both parishes. This spring, they will be invited to disclose what they did with the money.

 The funds came from the parishes’ Grace Co-op program.

 “It’s neat to see how this has taken off.”

Students share their ideas

Earlier this year, with a little help from their parents, the first-graders wrote about what they chose to do with their $5. Here are a few of their comments:

• Mia Ashbrook: “My Make a Difference project was to raise money for Charlier Hospice Center. I chose this because my great-grandpa was there and it means a lot to our family. I took my five dollars and turned it into six hundred and fifty dollars in eleven days. I did this by baking cookies and asking for donations. I also had a family donate two new toys for Charlier. The money raised will buy new toys for the children’s playroom and to buy things Charlier needs for the people there. It made my heart happy to give money and toys to Charlier.”

• Brayden Johnson: “For my make a difference project, I decided that I wanted to make other kids smile. When my brother was in the hospital, someone made him a pillow case and it made him smile. I wanted to do that too. I decided to use my $5 to buy rubber bands and make bracelets. I made a bracelet for my grandma and she paid me enough money to buy more rubber bands for lots of bracelets. I also added a cross and a card with a saying about God on them. It took me a long time to make them. I made enough for all of the kids at the Ozanam Shelter. My grandpa is the Board President at the Ozanam Shelter. He took me there to pass out the bracelets and I was nervous. It made me feel good when they all liked them and they were smiling. I even made a new friend named Ray. They loved my bracelets and it made me so happy to make them smile. It was fun.”

• Palmer Schiff: “For my Make a Difference Project I donated my $5 to The Energy For Life Walk. I helped raise money for Team Aly. Aly is a little girl that has Mitochondrial Disease.  This is a disease that does not allow food to produce energy for Aly’s body. She is a sick little girl that has had many surgeries and struggles with this disease every day. With my $5 donation and help from my family and friends, I raised $277 to give to Team Aly for the Energy for Life Walk. This will help find a cure for this disease. I got to meet Aly who is also in first grade like me and gave her the money.”

• Chase Griese: “I wrote a note and asked for help with my project.  I texted my family and friends a picture of my note. My mom posted a picture to Facebook. I also called my grandparents. Over 20 families helped me make a difference. I chose to help the Ozanam Family Shelter. My mom called, Jean Alvey, and we took 42 toothpastes, 89 toothbrushes, 26 bars of soap, 9 dental floss, 23 blankets and money to help these families who do not have a home of their own. We made a difference by keeping people warm and clean.”

• Ava Martin: “I made a difference in Liberia, Africa. I raised $217 to help a village just getting started. $5 will buy a chicken. $10 will help provide 50 meals to those in need.  $25 will help provide 125 pounds of food. $50 will help provide 250 meals. This Mission is called Hope in the Harvest. My grandpa is part of this mission and he actually went to Liberia to help this village. I am glad I am able to help them. We have a friend who is going to match my donation so they will actually get $434.”