“Read It – Swap It”by: Emily Fox

 

There are a lot of children at the school where Emily’s Mom works that do not have books of their own to read.  The only books they read are the ones   checked out of the school library but if they don’t bring the book back they   don’t get to check out other book.

 

She would like to set up a container in the dance studio to collect new or used books. If there are enough books that are donated the children who need the books could get one, read it, and then bring it back and exchange it for   another book.  The books will be on a rolling cart on the 3rd grade hall in her Mom’s school. This will make the books available to all the Pre-K through 5th grade children who need them.

Emily is donating some books to get things started and hopes you will respond by bringing new or used books to build the “Read It – Swap It” library!

A container will be available in the studio lobby.

 

 

“MEAL” (Meals for Emergencies and  Love)

by: Victoria Hawley

Victoria wants to set up a food pantry at Union Cross Elementary School . She learned from the school social worker that they had to buy groceries for some families just to get through the weekend and that families need help all year and not just at holiday time.

What she would like to do:  One week out of each month a tub will be set up in the studio and she will send an email to ask everyone to donate a particular food item. The social worker explained that it is easier to provide a whole meal instead of various items. None of them are expensive! 

November Item: canned fruits and vegetables.

December Item: spaghetti noodles and spaghetti  sauce

 

Operation Breakfast
by: Madeline Saintsing
Madeline would like to collect food for the Second Harvest Food Bank during  the upcoming dance season.  She will concentrate on breakfast items like  boxes of cereal, instant oatmeal, instant grits, and pancake mix because   according to Captain Tony Perez of the Salvation Army, people often think of  donating canned goods but forget about breakfast items.  To a child in  school, breakfast is the most important meal of the day because they can  concentrate on learning in class instead of their empty stomach.  There is  a correlation between test scores and breakfast.  Studies have shown that  kids who eat a good breakfast have higher test scores than those who go to  school with little or no breakfast.  She will begin her project by  collecting breakfast items at already planned events.
**   Competition team members bring breakfast items to donate on  the night of the competition production sleepover:  DEC. 3rd
**   All classes bring breakfast item donations to their December  observation (Christmas shows) and the competition team “Sneak Peek”
**   Competition team parents and guests bring breakfast items to  donate at the parent preview. (January)
**   Conduct a food drive for admission at the recital and  competition showcase in June.
A receptacle will be available in the studio lobby for your donations that  are welcome anytime!