DAY OF CARING

Ballston Spa students learn about community service

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Students at Milton Terrace Elementary School participated in the first Day of Caring on Wednesday.

The day began with an assembly where third-grade teacher Cailin Rabideau, the chair of Character Education Committee which organized the event, talked about the three organizations — Franklin Community Center, Saratoga Hospital and Operation Adopt a Solder — students would aid.

“This whole year we’re talking about respect for others and how other people matter and we can help other people, so we just felt that we really wanted a day for the kids to really see that,” said Rabideau. “This is important work and we hold that in high importance, so that we can have a day where we can do community service at the same time.”

Students broke up by grade, working individually with a buddy from a different grade. Kindergartners partnered with fifth-graders to collect hygiene items for Franklin Community Center.

First- and third-graders made care packages for soldiers overseas as well as thank you notes for serving the country.

“We do a big assembly in November for Veteran’s Day, so that’s something we hold near and dear to our heart,” said Rabideau. “We always like to send things over to the troops.”

Second- and fourth-graders created activity books for children in the emergency room at Saratoga Hospital. Additionally, thank you notes for hospital staff were written as well as snacks for EMS workers.

Milton Terrace is known for its commitment to community service, but the Character Education Committee wanted to create day fully devoted to community service.

The children had smiles on their faces while writing cards, or creating a care package.

“The kids really understand the meaning of it,” said Rabideau. “It’s just awesome for them to see the importance of helping other people.

“This whole year we’re talking about respect for others and how other people matter and we can help other people, so we just felt that we really wanted a day for the kids to really see that.”

— Cailin Rabideau

PHOTOS BY JOSEPH PHELAN — JPHELAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Tony and Lucy gather supplies to send to troops overseas.

Students created thank you notes for soldiers overseas during the first ever Day of Caring event.

Andrew Miller, 8, was one of several students at Milton Terrace Elementary who made a difference Wednesday.

Finley Hennessey, 6, creates a thank you card for a soldier.

Nine-year-old Jack Cowan shows off his card Wednesday.