Toys for Tots and Being Thankful

Community service is something greatly valued at St. James Day school. We focus a great deal of our attention on acts of service and supporting our local community. When we are intentional about caring for others and giving back, we teach the students that the world is larger than we are. It also opens the student’s eyes to situations they don’t typically see. First grade partnered with PreK for this year’s community service project. We are working with the local United States Marine Corps Reserve and have been collecting Toys for Tots. This is an amazing program that our Prek students have been working with for a couple of years now. It’s simple, we collect toys (brand new) for tots who otherwise would not get toys for Christmas. It is so eye-opening for our students to hear the Marine Corps Reserve officers describe how there are children who don’t get presents on Christmas. It’s such a good opportunity to teach our children how blessed they are and how we are called by God to take care of those who are in need. We, as a school, collected 150 this year! It has been so heartwarming to see the students excited to donate toys. It’s definitely made a lasting impression on me and I’m sure it has the children as well.

With Thanksgiving being next week the children took some time to think of the things they are thankful for. We are still unable to have our traditional program and feast. So, we made this video of the children telling what they are most thankful for. I hope you all have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving break!