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Schools

Kids make happy birthdays possible

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
Published March 8, 2007

LECANTO - Some children collect food at Thanksgiving to give to area food banks. Some collect pennies and nickels to donate to charity organizations to help other children at Christmas.

Daryl Lovell, who teaches an early childhood class, which includes 4- and 5-year-olds at Pope John Paul II Catholic School, wanted to try a classroom project relevant to children of that age. She discussed it with the children, asking them what kinds of things they enjoy and would miss if their families couldn't afford them.

Parties came up, and that idea evolved into birthday boxes.

The class began the process of making birthday boxes by listing things a child might need to have a nice birthday party.

The children suggested plates, cake mix, frosting, candles, cups, a tablecloth and a present. The project was extended to the children's parents who sent in one or two things from the list, including small gifts, like books, puzzles or stickers or cash.

"Whatever they brought in, I matched it," Lovell said.

The boxes also included $5 gift certificates to Publix Supermarkets to cover the cost of eggs, oil and milk needed to make the cake from the mix.

Lovell said she hoped they could put together a few boxes, but the response was so good, they were able to make 14.

The project was timed to coincide with the recent celebration of Catholic Schools Week and the beginning of Lent, which started on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The children decorated the boxes and the contents were listed on the outside of each. When they were ready to go, the boxes were delivered to Daystar Life Center for distribution.

"Hopefully the community is going to benefit from it," said Lovell. Her students apparently did. "They really liked and understood it," she said.

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 06:32:24]