EAST BAY KIDS HELP FEED HOMELESS

e-MMEDIATE RELEASE

From: James R.D. Oldham Elementary School in Riverside, East Providence.

by Prof. Angelo Marinosci, Jr.

Sometimes big things are the product small hands and the folks and kids at Riversides Oldham Elementary School are proving during the next few weeks. Every Friday starting February 27 and through the end of March, the entire Oldham Elementary School Learning Community will be making lunches for their homeless neighbors. Today, all students from Ms. Holland’s Kindergarten class partnered with students from Mrs. Watson’s grade 5 class to make lunches. Mr. Carl Sweeney, a local town patron and devotee to families in need is supporting Oldham School students efforts by delivering lunches complete with sweet treats sent in by parents to the Emmanuel House in Providence, Rhode Island.

One very important lesson students at Oldham Elementary have focused upon since the beginning of this school year is the showing kindness by being in service to others. This past fall students collected 700 canned goods that were then given out to families at Thanksgiving time. In addition, students have decided to collect personal toiletries for our needy neighbors as well.

Students will be making bologna and cheese sandwiches for our homeless friends. Parents and staff have baked and purchased sweet treats to include with each lunch. It is also very important to note that funding for this activity has been provided by our Oldham Children as well. The proceeds from popcorn sales made available to our children each Friday at lunchtime are actually paying for the foodstuff and ingredients the lunches are made from. If at month’s end popcorn sales exceed the cost of making the lunches; that money will be donated to Emmanuel House in Providence, RI.

The abundance of enthusiasm for this entire undertaking is made available by the wonderful and hard working students, faculty, staff and parents of the James R.D. Oldham Elementary School community, because we care.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. Fifth grader, Maraida Veiga (L) assists fifth grade teacher Mrs. Watson (R) help the kids making lunches for more than 100 needy and homeless folks.

2. Everyone pitches in (school psychologist) Mr. Gulglielme checks cheese (resource specialist) Ms. Norbury helps bag, smiling while they work. Sometimes the best smiles bring the best news too.

3. Little hands ready for a big job for fifth graders at James Oldham Elementary School in Riverside, East Providence.