Highland Elementary students will give to Boulware Mission residents | Community Spirit

Second-grade students at Highland Elementary School will reach out to others during the holiday season as part of the school’s continued focus on teaching positive values.

The school’s “word of the month” for December is “compassion.” In that spirit, the class has planned its traditional holiday party, but instead of exchanging gifts, students have been invited to demonstrate compassion for those in our community who are experiencing difficult circumstances, including homelessness.

Highland has partnered with the Boulware Mission Inc. to invite children to bring needed items, such as gloves, socks and personal hygiene products such as shampoo, soap and deodorant. The gloves and socks will decorate the class tree during the holiday season, and then everything will be packaged for delivery to the Boulware Mission during a special “open house.” Second-graders and their families are invited to tour the facility and meet staff and residents from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. The Boulware Mission is located at 609 Wing Ave., Owensboro.

The project has been met with enthusiastic support among students and their families. Courtney VonGunten, whose son Maddox attends HES, said they had been talking about donating some of his toys and clothing to less fortunate children. “Now we can shop together for the Boulware Mission and he can actually see where the items are going,” VonGunten said.

HES guidance counselor Laura McCain said the project is designed to enhance the children’s understanding and appreciation for the spirit of the season. “In the spirit of giving and our word of the month, we are so honored to take this awesome opportunity to teach our students to give in an active way and see how others benefit from their compassion,” McCain said.