Helping those less fortunate financially has provided a lesson in citizenship for some students at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn.
Mrs. Kimberly Dokter’s 4th graders (this year made up of one section of 23 students total) made 12 birthday kits for children that can’t afford to have a birthday celebration. Last week they presented them to the O’Brien County Outreach Birthday Room/Food Pantry Programs of Upper Des Moines Opportunity. The kits include a cake pan, cake, frosting, candles, juice, cups, plates, napkins, banners, hats, balloons, toys, etc. All were personalized by each student’s hand print.
Their teacher explained the beginnings of the giving opportunity. “It all started with Mrs. Benz (our school principal) sending me an email to check into a ‘Project Jack’ grant for bettering the community,” said Dokter. “One of the criteria is the age of the children to which they would award it needed to be 4th grade, which is why she approached me.”
Jack Lindaman was born on the 4th of July. Jack was affectionately called a little firecracker. Jack and his family enjoyed fireworks and all the festivities around the Fourth of July. He liked to make people happy and was always a positive light to those around him despite his health issues. Jack passed away in February 2010 from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). According to curesma.org, SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.
Jack Lindaman was 6 years old when he passed away. With Project Jack, his memory and loving spirit will continue on through the good deeds of children. The Realtor® Foundation of Iowa has created a fund to help students across Iowa to participate in Project Jack.
The Birthday Party kits were put together using the $250 award of Project Jack grant money.
“This project came at the perfect time as we were doing the ‘Civic Virtues and Democratic Principals Impacting Change, Continuity and/Conflict’ unit in social studies,” explained Dokter. “They have learned that being an active participant as a citizen is part of our responsibility. With this project they fulfilled their responsibility.”
There was an added benefit to the project. “Budgeting and comparing prices was also learned,” said Dokter.
In addition to the hand prints, students added other personal touches. “Some of the kids brought sticker sheets and like-new books from home for a little ‘goodie’ to be part of the kit,” noted Dokter. “I have been blessed with students that were raised with such caring hearts.”
O’Brien County Outreach Specialist Courtney Strub expressed her gratitude for the efforts of Mrs. Dokter and her students in partnering with UDMO to honor the awareness of Des Moines’ own Jack Lindaman and in passing on Jack’s Joy.
“Super amazing experience,” said Strub. “We thank all of you for your support and kindness with the honor and awareness of Jack’s JOY.”