St. Mary Brave Bags offered to children in hospital
Sixth grade students from St. Mary School are collecting items to give to children who are hospitalized as part of what they are calling their “Brave Bag” project. Items can be donated at the school until Jan. 27. Pictured with some of the donated items are, front row (l to r): Michael Illg, Tyler Paterson, Colby Caquelin, Kennedy Payer and Angela Axness. Second row: Erin Wittrock, Emma Reigelsberger, Darby DeWinter, Livvy Becker, Haley Satern, Laura Vaverek, Gus Zweibohmer and Noel Hamand. Third row: teacher Katie Phillips, Will Orness, Kaleb McCullough, Sam Bohan, Kelly Manz, Cayden Gascho, Kaydence Dugan and Brody Paterson. See this photo and more at www.humboldtnews.com.
Sixth grade students at St. Mary School in Humboldt have been collecting items to give to children who are in the hospital.
Named “Brave Bags,” the plan is to fill each bag with age appropriate items ranging from crayons and coloring books to new stuffed animals to nail polish.
The students said the idea came during Advent as they read from their devotion book.
“I believe that teaching students to be of service to others and put others before themselves is a valuable life lesson. I hope that the Brave Bags bring happiness to children that are hospitalized and I also hope that my students will never forget this lesson of service and empathy,” Katie Phillips, sixth grade teacher, said.
The students came up with the idea of providing kids who were hospitalized something to cheer them up.
“They can’t go outside. We wanted to do something to make them feel a little happier,” student Haley Satern said.
“If we were in the hospital we’d want something to do,” student Emma Reigelsberger said.
“We need to feel empathy for others and put ourselves in their shoes,” student Erin Wittrock said.
Students helped make flyers that were distributed to area businesses to help promote the Brave Bag project, according to student Michael Illg. Student Kennedy Payer said the flyers were also given to the rest of the classes at St. Mary School, and Mrs. Phillips posted it on social media.
Students have been collecting items since mid-December and will continue collecting until Jan. 27. Items needed include: markers, crayons and colored pencils; coloring books; crossword/puzzle books; pens, pencils and highlighters; small notebook/sketch books; chapstick; candy (nothing with peanuts); card games/playing cards; hand sanitizer; gum and mints; nail polish; lotion; fuzzy socks or slippers; small new stuffed animals; water bottles; toothbrush and toothpaste; hair ties, headbands or small brush; hats; or monetary donations (to help purchase a draw string bag).
Items can be dropped off at the St. Mary School office. The bags will be packed by the sixth grade students during Catholic Schools Week.
Student Kaleb McCullough said the goal is to have enough items make 50 bags.
The bags will be distributed to Humboldt County Memorial Hospital and surrounding area hospitals.
