Next generation of citizens: Dover children spend month performing acts of kindness
DOVER ‒ For the past month, Dover elementary school students have been fanning out around the community, performing acts of kindness for neighbors, senior citizens and safety forces.
This kindness initiative ran from Feb. 26 to March 20.
"The whole basis is that we are trying to get our kids to give back to the community, teaching them to be the next generation of Tuscarawas County citizens and really honing in on those values of what makes Dover, Dover," said Erica Koffa, a parent of four children and a member of the Dover Elementary Parent Teacher Group, which sponsored the initiative.
What they have done
On March 13, a group of children came to the fire station in downtown Dover to wash the main medic vehicle, which is one of the department's most visible vehicles. The kids took turns cleaning the vehicle, which is washed every day.
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By that time, the kids ‒ ranging in age from pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade ‒ had performed 4,000 acts of kindness, Koffa said.
Other activities have included making cards, suncatchers and painted kindness rocks for local nursing homes and hand-print paintings for mail carriers, members of the military, police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel. One evening, the kids colored notes, made pocket monsters ‒ which you put in your pocket to cheer you up, and made worry worms to chase your worries away. These items went into TUFF bags, which are weekend meals delivered to local students.
One kindergarten class made signs and cards for graduating Dover seniors. Students at South Elementary made flowers for the city workers.
'I like helping other people out'
The children participating in these acts of kindness say they enjoy it.
"I like helping other people out and being kind to people," said Joslin Studer, a fifth grader at Dover Avenue Elementary. She participated in an event at her school on March 12.
Genevieve Miller, another fifth grader, colored cards and wrote messages to be put in the TUFF bags. She enjoyed it, saying, "Art is one of my favorite things to do."
In addition, she said she has helped her neighbors by picking up sticks, weeding their yards and raking their leaves.
Emma Friley, another fifth grade, said it was fun working on cards and making worry worms for the bags. During the month, she also made thank-you cards for military members, donated food for firefighters and helped out at her church, First United Church of Christ.
Fundraising campaign
The kindness initiative coincided with the Dover Elementary Parent Teacher Group's fundraising campaign. In the past, the group has had the children selling things to raise money, but Koffa said that did not align with the group's values, so they tried something different.
Instead, the kids collected donations. The goal is to raise $45,000. The funds are used for such things as playground updates, reading rewards, class parties and things to support teachers and staff.
To assist in the group's fundraising goal, people can donate directly online to its website, www.doverelementaryptg.com.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dover students perform thousands of acts of kindness in past month
