FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Fourthgraders at the Marshall W. Errickson School, Elton-Adelphia Road, demonstrated their compassion as well as their creative skills by making teddy bears for children who were victims of the recent fires in California.
According to a press release from the Freehold Township School District, students in Stephanie Goad’s class completed the philanthropic activity with the help of parents on Jan. 18.
Goad organized the project after the subject of the fire victims came up during a study of citizenship in a social studies class. According to Goad, the students were discussing volunteering and taking the time to do good for others.
She said her students came up with the idea to do something for the children in California who lost all they had due to the fires.
“We wanted to give the children something to comfort them and I thought teddy bears symbolize a source of comfort for children of all ages,” she said. “I knew my students would enjoy creating a unique bear for a child in need.”
Students traced and cut fabric for the bears and then stuffed, stitched and decorated them with buttons and ribbons. The fabric was donated by Designtex and the items for decorating the bearswere donated by parents.
According to the press release, the parents were happy to volunteer their time to help the students assemble their bears.
“It is a great thing for the kids to learn to help others and making the bears was a very creative way to do it,” said parent Jackie Guarino.
The completed teddy bears will be sent to the Salvation Army’s San Bernardino Corps Community Center for distribution to the children, according to the press release.