Now that the holiday season is over and we are all back into our routines, it’s nice sometimes to go back in our thoughts and mentally savor (like fine wine or a delicious meal), some of the events and activities that illustrates the best in humanity and the importance of charity to everyone everywhere.
A most delightful acknowledgement or remembrance for the recent holiday season is that of students in the Pre-Academy of Finance at Watson B. Duncan Middle learn about value, not just the value of a dollar, but the value of giving. Part of the program requires students to engage in service based activities within the community, giving of themselves; each holiday season Academy students find a way to bring joy to the less fortunate.
In a recent press release by Palm Beach County School District’s Public Affairs Office stated in an article that in previous years, through the generosity of Academy families, the Pre-Academy of Finance has adopted a family for the holidays. This year, the Academy took a bigger picture approach with the hopes of reaching more people in need. As usual, the students and parents of the Academy went above and beyond all expectations. The Pre-Academy of Finance began with the goal of collecting gifts for elementary school students at a local school, with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students; they set out to collect seventy-four gifts (adopting four classes). The students were so enthusiastic about the prospect of giving to young children who would otherwise be receiving nothing this Christmas that they tripled the collection goal.
With the continuous spirit of giving that moved these kids, and their families, the Pre-Academy of Finance was able to provide gifts for 74 elementary students, provide 30 gifts for Duncan’s Builders Club (a club which provides Christmas gifts for disadvantaged students at Duncan Middle), and donate 133 gift to Real Life Children’s Ranch of Okeechobee. Real Life Children’s Ranch is a family-style group home for abused and abandoned children; providing a loving, caring environment where children learn the richness of a well-rounded life.
“The faculty of the Pre-Academy of Finance is proud of the thoughtfulness and care for others that the students have shown,” said Kate Wynn, Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator. “It is the hope of the Academy’s teachers that the kids will learn how satisfying it can be to give of yourself to others- that truly is what the holidays are all about.”
What a sobering reminder of the joy of giving and helping those (for whatever reason) are not able to help themselves. Whenever you are feeling discourage and need to push back some regret. . .think on the students of the Pre-Academy of Finance at Watson B. Duncan Middle School where students are being taught what is most important – for as we give, the more that we are given.
REF: PBCSD (Press Release) Public Affairs Office. January 2013.
Comments