CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WJAR) — Students at Cumberland Hill Elementary School are finishing the school year off strong with a positive project, courtesy of a club that exemplifies “Something Good.”
A few years ago, Ashley Lemieux, a 4th grade teacher, said her students read a book in class about students who had helped their community.
“And a few of my students said, ‘We should try this here at our school,’” said Lemieux. “That’s when we started The Kindness Club. We opened it up to all fourth and fifth grade students and we were blown away by the amount of applications that we received. The kids had to apply to be a part of the club telling us what kindness meant to them, and why they wanted to be part of it.”
What started out as several students has grown into nearly 50 members.
They meet an hour before the school day begins every other week.
“It’s grown in popularity with the kids wanting to give back within the school and our town community,” said Lemieux.
“I became a member of the kindness club in the 4th grade and it’s because I really like helping people,” said 11-year-old Jordan Burrus.“When they started it I thought it was like a really good idea And it makes me feel really happy a lot of joy.”
The Kindness Club’s most recent project was making dozens of blankets for other kids at Hasbro Children’s hospital.
Lemieux said the students brainstorm ideas and typically take a vote on what their next community service project will be.
“They have been looking forward to this, this has been one of the most anticipated community service projects that we completed,” she said. “We thought it was a great way to teach empathy to kids that with health, and being fortunate, giving back to people at their own age is a way that we could provide comfort to them and do it in a hands-on way.”
According to Lemieux, she is just one of several teachers and staff members at the school who volunteer their time to help the club and its mission.
For projects, the homemade blankets in particular, the school, the school’s PTO, and supportive teachers help pay for the products needed for completion.
“We have made placemats, we’ve sung at a nursing home. We made these blankets,” said Olivia Wilhelmsen, a student. “I like helping people and it makes me feel good about myself.”
“We help make stuff for people in need, we help do stuff for people who can’t afford it,” said Maxwell Llewellyn, another student. “This is my first time ever making a blanket. It really makes me feel happy knowing these are going to someone in need.”
The students spent weeks making the blankets.
They did everything from measuring fabric, cutting, sewing and knotting.
They worked in groups to finish them.
“It’s happy seeing all the blankets we’ve made going to a good cause,” said student Avery Hannigan. “If they’re sick or they’re hurt, they can have these and feel better.”
Cumberland Hill Elementary School is in its last week before summer break.
Lemieux said she plans to coordinate with the hospital, when and how to donate the blankets.
She and members of the club are already looking forward to next year’s projects.
“It’s our future generation so my hope is by teaching them at a young age to give back, and the joy it gives you is important, and they carry that on into middle school, high school, and into adulthood,” she said. “It really brings me a lot of joy and emotion to see how much they’ve accomplished and to see how happy they are when they’re completing their projects.”
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