Excel Charter Academy recently held an all-school service project in which they partnered with Samaritas Foster Care and Refugee Services by collecting new and gently used clothing and bedding, and new hygiene products (mostly toothbrushes). Students were also given the opportunity to show encouragement by writing notes and cards to people serving through Samaritas.
“We were looking for a project that everyone would be able to participate in, if they wanted to. We also wanted to pick a project that our kids could connect with,” said Christa Schwartz, paraprofessional at Excel Charter Academy. “After getting in touch with Samaritas, and finding there was a need to support their resources, it felt like a good fit.”
Over the course of the week, Excel collected over 2,000 items of clothing/bedding and over 1,000 hygiene items. In total, over 3,000 items were donated by Excel families and staff members to benefit kids and families using Samaritas’ Foster Care and Refugee Services.
“As a school, we have a diverse cultural background,” said Schwartz. “We have students from over 60 different countries, including some who are here as refugees. Almost every student here either has a personal connection to world diversity or has a friend who does. It’s an important part of our culture at Excel.”
Excel reflected April’s Moral Focus, compassion, as well as March’s Moral Focus, encouragement.
About Excel Charter Academy
Excel Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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