You may remember the fable of the lion and the mouse, but have you heard the one about the lion and the butterfly? This October, a service project led by the “Monarchs” at Crestwood Elementary raised $525 for hurricane relief to the “Lions” at Crestwood Elementary in Tampa, Florida.
Crestwood fifth graders were inspired to act after learning about hurricanes in their science class and seeing the devastation caused by hurricanes Milton and Helene. With the help of their teachers, they plotted schools along the hurricane paths and found another Crestwood Elementary.
While the shared name captured the students’ eyes, the school’s situation captured their hearts. Through some research, the Crestwood kids learned that the Florida school had been damaged so badly it was closed for a week after the storm passed through.
The fifth graders then planned and executed a week-long fundraiser, soliciting contributions from all grades. According to teacher Sarah Parsons, they learned by example. “We’ve done fundraisers at Crestwood before,” she said. “But this is the first time these students have done it all by themselves, start-to-finish.”
Though the operation seemed difficult at first, Crestwood students felt empowered by what they’d done. “We can all make a difference,” said Kealan, a Crestwood fifth-grader. “It’s possible to help people who need it.” Classmate Isabel added, “Helping makes you a better person. When you do something kind, others will be kind to you.”
After announcing the results at their Oct. 31 Crestfest, the Monarchs held a special virtual call with their Floridian counterparts where they were able to share their gift and connect with the Lions. The event was a memorable experience for everyone.
“Our students were able to see the direct, positive impact we made on another school after such a tragedy,” said Ms. Parsons. “We are going to stay in contact with them throughout the year like pen pals. This project truly showed how kindness and curriculum come together in the real world.”