In the true spirit of the season, Andy Woods Elementary School staff and fifth-grade students orchestrated a heartwarming drive to support the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County. Today, their efforts were presented to representatives from the Children's Advocacy Center.
Woods Principal Georgeanna Jones expressed her pride in this collective effort. "I am very proud of our Andy Woods community for coming together to help the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County. After touring their new facility, we asked what their greatest needs were. They said that with the additional space they have for storage, they can manage more supplies and donations."
This remarkable initiative stems from a fifth-grade service project, where students utilized their recess time to collect donations from each classroom. The entire school rallied behind the cause, bringing essential items such as hand soap, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, baby wipes, and adorable stuffed animals.
Mary Caroline Willis, fifth-grade student, shared her thoughts on the project. "This is going to help a lot of people. Collecting these items is really important because they will impact the lives of many. Our teachers are teaching us that there are people less fortunate than us, and they need our help."
Terry Smith, CEO of the Child Advocacy Center of Smith County, expressed her gratitude for the thoughtful contributions. "Truly, these are two gifts, the spirit of Christmas exemplified by children and the tangible gifts to our families who are in need. I am so proud of this school for teaching their students to help others and instilling the importance of helping others."
The project not only made a difference in the lives of those in need but also served as a valuable lesson in empathy and generosity. The school community, including staff, students, and parents, wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others.