Children In Ukraine Supported Through Canton Students' Fundraiser

CANTON, GA — Students in Canton recently had the chance to give back to other kids across the globe when they hosted their Give from the Heart fundraiser for the Children’s Charity Center of Ukraine.

Big Blue Marble Academy founder, Nan Rikard, has a personal connection to philanthropy, stemming from her 8-year commitment to the Children's Charity Center in Ukraine, according to Big Blue Marble Canton’s Assistant Regional Director Micayla Keene.

"From hosting orphaned children from the area, to her own daughter's adoption, she used her over 30-year career in early childhood care to share that passion with the children at BBMA through Heart Projects," Keene told Patch. "Nan Rikard has been donating to the orphanage since 2014 providing food, money and other much needed supplies."

One aspect of the academy’s whole-child focus is taught through service learning, hands-on, real-life, global- and cause-focused "Heart Projects," which are integrated into the curriculum.

"Through Heart Projects, children learn that they have the ability to solve real-world problems and make meaningful contributions to the lives of others, helping them to grow into good neighbors and involved citizens with big hearts," Keene said. "Supporting young children on their journey to become caring, compassionate, and responsive members of society is one of the top goals of early childhood education. As children learn that they have the ability to solve real-world problems and make meaningful contributions to the lives of others, they grow into good neighbors and involved citizens."

The Give from the Heart fundraiser supporting the orphanage in Ukraine is a special effort that has raised more than $30,000 as of March 18 to provide support for the children of Ukraine.

"This fundraiser is a special effort during this time of great need in Ukraine," Keene said. "We hope that one day our students will reflect on this moment in history and realize they contributed in aiding the children of Ukraine in their time of need."

Celebrating 10 years of early childhood education, Big Blue Marble Academy operates more than 40 schools providing early care, preschool, after-school care, and summer camp for children ages 6 weeks to 12-years-old.

Donations to the fundraiser can be found online.