It’s fairly common to see a professional sports team or a group of A-list celebrities being charitable. They have the money and resources to do so—but don’t most people? Everyday people can’t afford to write out a $5,000 check to their favorite charities, but they can do the little things to make their communities a better place.
Donna Beal is a first grade teacher at Joe Nightingale Elementary, and for nine years, her students have been organizing some great community projects.
It all started with a grant proposal, she said.
“I wrote up a grant through the Teachers Network of Santa Barbara County,” Beal told the Sun. “I got $1,000 for community projects.”
Each year, Beal and her students use that money to help others in the community, from infants to seniors. Projects include a children’s pajama drive, food bank donations, seat belt awareness campaigns, and a musical play.
“We practice a play called Friendly Neighborhood Helpers,” she explained. “The children are dressed up in costumes, and we sing about different people in our community.”
The 25-minute play is a blast for the children who will perform for Merrill Gardens Retirement Home residents on April 7. Every one of Beal’s 30 students has a speaking part and will dress as a firefighter, chef, dentist, or other common local figure. The kids will also perform for parents and their school in preparation for the seniors.
The grant money pays for bus transportation, the costumes, and all the rest of the expenses, since there isn’t any money for it in the school budget. But for all the good the children have done for the community, they’ve received the biggest benefit themselves.
“They have that intrinsic feeling of feeling good by giving back to others,” Beal said. “Knowing that they’re only 6 years old and they can make a difference—people think you have to be older or have money to give to others and you don’t. They’re making a difference by just doing things.”
Intern Jacob Lopez compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2011.
