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Renaissance students, seniors get creative
Regan Hill photo
Lucas Dufresne (left), Barbara Nelson (center) and Emma Dufresne fill cloth bags with rice during an evening of arts and crafts at Emmanuel's Place.
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Published: October 22, 2009
It wasn't your typical after-school arts-and-crafts session — but that was exactly the point.
Students in the "Renaissance Kids Care Club" partnered with residents at Emmanuel's Place assisted living retirement center Wednesday afternoon to create items that will be sold in support of Heifer International.
About 20 students worked alongside the residents, forming new bonds even as they made air freshners and rice bags that can be used as heating pads.
"We want to give them an opportunity to interact with the seniors," said American Renaissance School teacher Claire Mangum.
Mangum said the club's goal is to raise $3,000 this year for Heifer International, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty.
Third-grader Maggie Pendergrass, 8, is no stranger to community service. She is a Girl Scout and has helped sort food at a food pantry.
"It makes you feel like you're actually doing something good," she said.
Maggie said she almost didn't attend Wednesday — her good friend wasn't able to go with her — but by midway through the session, she was glad was there.
"It's fun," she said. "We're helping people, and helping people is fun."
Jelani Houston, 10, said helping others makes him feel good because "there's some things people can't do by themselves."
"I've never been to this place and it's nice to meet new people and get to know each other," he said.
Resident Carolyn Robinson said when she heard the kids were coming, she knew she wanted to participate.
"I appreciate them coming because it gives us something to do," she said.
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