Giving and not receiving anything in return … a difficult concept for some adults to comprehend … is a lesson well demonstrated by some Parkside Elementary School second graders.
This week, students wrapped up a fund-raiser designed to bring smiles and kind words to area cancer patients. About 80 students walked Tuesday to IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care to deliver their gifts, including a check for $1,550 and student-created books, joke books, and colorful student-made magnets.
Just how did the students get the idea for “Parkside Thinks Pink” … because another second grade teacher successfully fought breast cancer. “It’s something near and dear to our hearts,” says Karen Brock, second grade teacher.
“It feels good to be helping the patients,” says student Alison Sapp. “This is generosity.”
Bonnie Gillespie accepted gifts from the students on behalf of her mother-in-law, who is battling cancer. “They’re great kids to do things like this for other people,” Gillespie says.
So how does a second grader define generous? “Generous is kind of like kindness, because it makes you feel happy,” says Jose Gonzalez.
