Fifth Avenue Elementary Students are sweet on the Troops!

Teaching compassion to children is always a challenge but when you find a way for them to relate, it’s worthwhile. This year, Fifth Avenue Elementary School PTA partnered with Do Something and Operation Gratitude to collect wrapped candy to give to U.S. soldiers serving overseas in all branches of the military. Children were each invited to donate just 10 pieces of Halloween candy to forward to the Troops. The response was overwhelming and most donations came in gallon bags, shopping bags and some even came in garbage bags. This campaign enabled kids to donate something of their own without their parent’s help. They experienced the pride and joy in sharing something of theirs to make others feel good.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, 277 lbs of candy collected through the Fifth Avenue Elementary School PTA was shipped to Operation Gratitude for their Treats for the Troops program. This simple act from the children of Fifth Avenue is their way of sharing a token of appreciation and sending a little bit of home to our troops abroad. The children gained an understanding of how something as little as a piece of candy can provide comfort and cheer someone up. It’s the same feeling that they get when out Trick or Treating, so they could easily relate.

We are forever grateful to all those who serve - past, present and future. Hopefully, by participating in this program it encourages the children to do even more charitable works in the future and think of others in need.

Thanks to Nurse Wendel and The Vitality Center and Dr. Jason I. Pape for helping out with the shipping costs!