CATAULA, GA (WTVM) -
A group of students at Creekside
School in Cataula embodied the spirit of giving on Tuesday.
Two fifth grade classes
came together and instead of doing the traditional class gift exchange, they
decided to donate their gifts to the Valley Rescue Mission.
We spoke with one of their
teachers, Mrs. Latina Maddox, who explains how proud she is of her students.
"They're awesome,
they're really thinking from the heart," said Maddox. "I mean they're not doing
it because someone is pressuring them, they're excited to bring in the gifts so
I think it's a really good thing at a time like this to share with
others."
The Valley Rescue Mission will
be distributing Christmas gifts to more than 1,200 children throughout the
community. They have very little gifts for children up to 3 years old and from
ages 8 to 12 years old.
Donna Pearce with the Valley
Rescue Mission tells us this project is a big help and explains what we can
learn from these students.
"Well, I hope that
the community is inspired by the example that is being set for us by a bunch of
fifth graders - that it really is more blessed to give than to receive."
Pearce said.
Fifth grade teacher Kathie
Berends hopes that one day this project will grow.
"We're hoping next
year maybe that this will grow and maybe more classes will join in and then we
could give more gifts," Berends said. "Hopefully this will be something that
will blossom and become a big project."
We then asked students how
they felt about donating their Christmas gifts, and "Merry Christmas!" is what
they had to say.
If you want to give, toys
can be dropped off at Valley Rescue Mission on 2nd Avenue this Wednesday from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteers say they need to have all donations by Wednesday so
they can be prepped to be given away.
Copyright 2012 WTVM. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTVM, a Raycom Media Station.
