Maple School's Art of Giving Connects Students With Community Service

NORTHBROOK, IL — It's the season of philanthropy and helping others, so it's only fitting that Maple School students recently participated in the annual Art of Giving program at the Northbrook school. The event was hosted by the library media center, as it has been for the past four years.

According to Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, the participating students got creative and crafted merchandises to help a good cause. The Art of Giving teams with a different local organization each year to encourage students to give back to their community. This year, the program partnered with Gigi's Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, which provides educational, therapy-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

"We love doing this each winter because it helps support values in our school district like inclusivity and acceptance," said Jamie Holmer, Art of Giving organizer and library media specialist. "It has become a tradition that students and staff take part in as part of the Maple experience, spreading joy and thoughtful giving to our community."

Students visited the LMC to learn about Gigi's Playhouse and worked in teams to create projects requested by the nonprofit, including sensory boards and video messages for people it serves. They also created mug designs that Gigi's Playhouse will print on drinkware to sell in their store, Hugs and Mugs at shopgigisplayhouse.org.