A craft fair project involving the grades 3 to 6 students at Madeira Park Elementary School (MPES) has turned into a project of sharing and giving back.
According to teacher Patti Soos, since September the students have been making crafts to sell at the Serendipity Christmas Craft Fair, which was held on Nov. 24.
“My class worked very hard and made many items,” she said. “When we discussed what we would do if we made some profit, the kids came up with the idea to donate it to Isla Silvey, a girl in their school who has been away from school much of the time due to extreme illness. Isla needs to go to Wisconsin for treatment. She also wished for an iPad to help her keep up with her school work and to be able to communicate with her class on Facebook.
“I said that was awesome, but to keep it secret in case we didn’t make any money. But as it happened, they made $400.”
Soos said the students decided to donate $100 to the Serendipity Preschool and to give $300 to Isla.
“I texted Isla’s mother, tricked her by telling her we had made some artwork for Isla and could she stop by the school to pick it up,” Soos said. “I then went to the school and asked the principal, Barry Krangle, if I could borrow my art kids for 10 minutes at lunch to surprise Isla with the money. Mr. Krangle said, ‘Well, that’s about halfway to earning an iPad. I will match your money.’ He did this without previous discussion or hesitation.”
So between the staff of MPES and the art kids there was enough money for the iPad, which Soos purchased from London Drugs and brought back to the school for a school-wide assembly.
“In front of the entire school my art kids presented Isla the iPad. It was an amazing thing,” Soos said. “My art kids were ecstatic with excitement and pride.”
