Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Local students raise funds for homeless
Two students at New Garden Elementary School said they were just trying to help those less fortunate.
NEW GARDEN >> Two students at New Garden Elementary School said they were just trying to help those less fortunate when then teamed up to raise money for a homeless shelter in Kennett Square.
“We wanted to help the homeless because we are Boy Scouts,” said Brandt Berger, who coordinated the fundraising effort with fellow student Charlie Westphal, who are in Boy Scout Pack 136 of New Garden. “We did this together, and we just wanted to do a good deed.” The boys raised $289.34. Susan McArdle, principal at New Garden Elementary School, said the boys approached her about a month ago and told her they wanted to take up a collection for the homeless in Kennett.
“I told them it was a wonderful idea,” McArdle said. “I gave it my blessing. I guided them, but they coordinated everything. We sat down and came up with a plan.”
McArdle helped to identify teachers at every grade level to collect the money for grades one through five. Then they staged several promotional days, such as sunglasses day. Both boys even baked cookies and delivered it to His Mission Homeless Shelter on Birth Street in Kennett Square.
“I think what they did is really, really awesome,” said Bobbi Butcher, one of the caretakers at His Mission. “This money from the children will help us out a lot. It will help with food or a bill or two. We get no money from the state or county or government. We get no help at all.”
Butcher said 14 men are currently staying at the shelter, but the number could easily double that when the cold weather hits.
“We take people from everywhere,” she said. “Right now, we have two gentlemen from Hawaii.”
Said McArdle: “We are a welcoming school here at New Garden and we take on a lot of different things to help others less fortunate than us. It’s always good to help others in need. We are proud of them.”