Students at Princeton Elementary School Help Those With Disabilities

Princeton, NJ - Students at an elementary school in Princeton are doing their part to assist those with disabilities.

Last fall, Girls on the Run volunteer coach Gabriella Milley challenged 20 girls from Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton with a simple question: “Would you be interested in doing something special for your school?”

At that point, the idea was born.

Earlier in the fall, several of the girls had visited the Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum in Ewing on an annual field trip that is part of the fourth grade curriculum at Littlebrook.

One of the exhibits depicted disabled children enjoying a playground that had been adapted to accommodate children with handicaps.

The exhibit left a lasting impression on the students.

When Milley prompted the girls with her question, they were ready to respond with a dream to purchase a swing for wheelchair-bound students, allowing all Littlebrook classmates to enjoy recess play.

With the approval and support of Littlebrook principal and staff, the girls started planning ways to raise money for the swing.

Bake sales, chores, and a fundraising page have been used to raise awareness and funds for the Littlebrook swing initiative, according to Girls on the Run.

Most recently, a third-grader from the team approached a local farm to ask about donating proceeds from pony rides to the swing campaign.

“So much incredible creativity has come about because of the swing initiative,” Milley said.

The Girls On The Run fall season is over, but fundraising efforts are still underway, and swing installation is planned for this spring.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker recognized this effort on his Facebook page.

“I love your New Jersey pride and know you can accomplish anything you work hard for. Volunteering builds character and teaches valuable life skills,” Booker wrote.

Girls on the Run’s spring season is underway, with openings at some site locations in Mercer and Burlington Counties. For more information, visit http://girlsontherunnj.org/

The attached images were provided by Girls on the Run