Elementary school students have sent video game systems to troops and honored veterans and plan to ship blankets to Tanzania and raise funds for Alzheimer’s research with help from the District 181 Foundation.
The Kids Initiating a Difference in Society grants are for up to $150 and allow students to make their ideas into reality for the local or world community.
“They recognize needs around the world and in their own community, and that they can make a difference,” said Meg Cooper, executive director of the foundation.
The foundation supported 24 grants during the 2013-14 school year and has awarded 11 grants so far this school year, with the support of sponsor Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company.
Most recently, students Noah and Luke Issa used funds to purchase U.S. flags on sticks to line the front entrances of their schools, Oak School and Hinsdale Middle School, on Veterans Day. They also purchased Xbox games to send to a troop in Afghanistan.
“We have been writing letters and sending care packages for this troop since June,” said their mother, Sakeba Issa, who helps to lead the Oak School Kids Care Club. “My sons thought it would be nice if they were able to buy them Xbox games.”
The Oak Kids Care Club also earned a grant recently to create a care package for the troop and platoon. Members of the club, including Diana Anos, Charlotte Brzozowski, Braylen Stokes, Brady Linn, Tucker Read, Noah Priest and Ben Oosterbaan, wrote letters to be included with the package, and parents brought in extra Halloween candy to be donated, as well.
A third grant submitted by members of the Kids Care Club (John Coyner, Sydney Holmes, Sydney Akers, Andrew Holmes and Gordon Walker) allowed for the creation of fabric napkins and napkin rings to make Thanksgiving more festive for the families who benefit from the support of HCS Family Services of Hinsdale. Students and their families also contributed several shopping carts’ worth of diapers, shampoo, deodorant and soap for HCS.
Upcoming projects include improvements to the Hansen Center horse path used for therapy riding, creation of fleece blankets for incoming kindergarten students at the O’Brien School for the Maasai in Tanzania, and a Gym Jam event at Elm School to benefit an Alzheimer’s research organization.
District 181 students interested in applying for a KIDS Grant are invited to do so anytime during the year. Applications are found online at www.d181foundation.org.