Every year, the fourth graders at Lopez Elementary in Fort Collins put on a ‘Hearts for Respite’ luncheon to benefit Respite Care, Inc., a Timnath-based nonprofit that provides care for children with developmental disabilities. The students handle it end to end, according to Poudre School District: they make art, solicit donations, write invitations, design the theme, greet guests, serve lunch and present the nonprofit’s mission to the room.
On Aug. 18, PSD announced the class had received the Outstanding Youth Group award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Colorado Chapter for National Philanthropy Day, along with a $3,000 grant to continue the work. Lead Assistant Superintendent Dr. Traci Gile said past students describe the event as a catalyst for lifelong service; Superintendent Brian Kingsley was also quoted in the district’s announcement. The district did not publish a dollar total for the luncheon, so we will not guess at one.
How to help
Respite Care takes donations and volunteers year-round. Homeschool families looking for a service-learning model: nine- and ten-year-olds running a real event, with real guests and a real beneficiary, is a template worth borrowing.
More like this: Kids Doing Good · Teachers · Fort Collins
