A group of students at Grauer elementary have proved nobody is ever too young to make a difference to the world.
Once a week around 15 students from Grade 4 to 6 gather together after school to work on projects that contribute to the community.
They are in a program called the Early Act Club, sponsored by Richmond Sunset Rotary, where they stuff puppets and sew quilts for those in need.
“This program is for students to build global awareness and perform acts of kindness,” said Gillian Partridge, a Grauer teacher who supervises the program.
“It’s very important for them to be aware that they can make a difference in their communities and to the world – just simple acts and little things to help out.”
Every year, students create three projects to contribute perspectively to their school, the local community and towards a global project, according to Partridge, who brings the hand-sewn products home to strengthen them on a machine.
Last year for the program’s annual global project, students made quilts, gloves and puppets for children in a South African village the Rotary has been helping.
“In the past, we gave clothes we made to firefighters to give to those whose houses were burned down," said Partridge.
"This year, we made Christmas decorations and ornaments and sold them at City Hall through the Wonderland Festival – the money goes to the Rotary to stop polio."
Sanaya, 11, told the Richmond News she joined the program two years ago becasue “it is interesting and I like arts and crafts.”
“I really like it because I like helping everyone in the world. I feel happy for (the people helped). I learned to help everyone in the world and to be kind and grateful," said Sanaya.
