Making A Difference

Resurrection first graders were challenged by their teachers, Jennifer Meyer and Jennifer Vangampler, to make a difference in their world.

Theresa Berendes, principal at the Evansville school, explains, “The teachers told their students, ‘There are many worthy causes in our local community and the world at large and it’s impossible to support them all. However, we are challenging you to help as many people as you can.’”

The teachers took their own money and gave each student $5. They told them to “go make a difference.” The students took the money and watched it grow through donations from family members and friends. When they were finished, they had collected over $4,000 which they donated to some very good local causes.

Here is a sample of what they did:

• “My name is Isabella Allen and I chose to use the money for my ‘Make a Difference’ to help animals at the P.C. Pound Puppies. Animals are important to me and visiting the animals at the shelter I saw that the animals were lonely.

“I donated $35 to P.C. Pound Puppies. I found out that the money that is donated goes to help take care of the animals when they are sick, if they need worm medicine, teeth cleaned, or other things they may need. I feel God is trying to teach me that animals are important and want to be loved and cared for too.

• Jolene Bemis made a difference by using the money to buy warm hats, gloves and socks for people in need at United Caring Services. “I feel God is trying to teach me to care about others.”

• Ebby Braker picked the Ronald McDonald House for Making a Difference “because I wanted to help families with sick kids. I raised money by asking my family for donations. I took the money to the house. It made me happy to give them the money.”

• Lucy Bretz decided to help homeless people at United Caring Shelter. “I raised money by making rubber band bracelets and sold them for $1 to my family, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and a few friends. I made $100!!!

“My mom and I went to the store and bought items that they needed the most. Some of those items were blankets, towels, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and food. Next, we took those items to the United Caring Shelter. The United Caring Shelter is downtown, and I think that they were very happy when we brought the items. I was able to visit and see how they used the items and how they help people every day.”

• Gavynn Bright says, “For my Making a Difference project I chose the Tri-State Food Bank. Five dollars will not feed many people so I chose to grow my money. I bought a box of hot chocolate. My uncle Nano let me make cups of hot chocolate for donations to the Tri-State Food Bank at the Cross-Eyed Cricket Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I donated $163 to the Tri-State Food Bank by making cups of hot chocolate. It made me happy to help feed people that did not have money for food.”

• Brayden Collins writes, “For my Make a Difference project, I chose to help It Takes a Village Canine Rescue. They help dogs who are sick or homeless and find them loving families of their own. I asked my friends and family for donations to help dogs in need of care and health and a home. With their support, I got 640 dollars.”

• Ingrid Damm says, “God taught me to be a good person and to think of others first. With my five dollars, my family and I decided to donate my money to a food bank. We chose Seton Harvest because they donate fresh vegetables to people who need food. They also donate food to churches and my old daycare St. Vincent’s Daycare. I grew up eating food from their farm.

“I donated the five dollars and ten dollars of my own money. I asked my grandparents and parents for money to help. All together I donated $55 to Seton Harvest. I met farmer Joe and Julie who work at the farm.  They taught me about the different growing seasons and how they use the land to serve God.”

• Kendra Davidson explains that “my family and I chose shoes for Mount Vernon Head Start. Most often their shoes are too small or worn out. When I told my family and friends about Making a Difference: First Grade Style they all wanted to help. All together we collected $516.50. Shoe Carnival helped me out when I told them I needed to buy 18 pairs of shoes for my Making a Difference project. The shoes came to $527.76. Dad paid the rest. Mom bought one pair of socks for each child to wear with their new shoes.”

• Mackenzie Mills writes, “I chose Birthright of Evansville, Indiana to make a difference. Birthright gives diapers, bottles and clothing to babies and small kids in need. I raised money to donate to Birthright to buy new bottles and diapers and my family and friends donated coats and clothing to give to Birthright as well. Through this making a difference project, I learned it is good to give to others in need.”