“We believe that the Elm School Kids Care Club empowers the kids in our school, gives them self-confidence to take on more and understand that we can all make a difference in the world we live in!”
Michele Kapp, Faciltator, Elm School Kids Care Club
Burr Ridge, IL

In 2006, Michele Kapp and Trish Donlevey started The Elm School Kids Care Club with over 100 enthusiastic first through fifth graders. The school had existing service projects, but Michele and Trish noticed that the kids did not always have an understanding of what they were doing or whom they were helping. They thought that using projects and resources from the Kids Care Clubs website would help the kids connect to the projects.

For example, when Elm School hosted an annual “walk-a-thon” the kids raised the funds but the Parent Teacher Organization decided how they would be spent. Michele and Trish believed that if the event was connected to a local organization, the kids would get more out of it. They learned that right down the street from the school the Hanson Center, a recreational center for children and adults with disabilities was trying to build a playground that would be accessible to all children (with or without disabilities). Elm School raised over $12,000 for the new playground and by tying the proceeds to a local organization, they raised awareness for the Center. “The local fundraising project really empowered the kids,” said Michele. “Children in the neighborhood, who would never have visited the Hanson Center, play there now. The children saw how the entire community rallied behind the Hanson Center and they saw what they were able to accomplish!”

The Club has been involved in many more successful projects; each having a hands on component and a local connection. Two of the Club’s favorite projects were:
Pennies for Guide Dogs –- The Hanson Center has a program in their recreational facility that houses the Morris Service Dog Program. At the meeting, organizers and trainers from the Morris Service Dog Program visited the Club with a few service dogs to show how the service dogs were trained. Some of the children with disabilities attended this meeting also and told the children what their dogs meant to them.

Moved by the presentation, club members agreed to collect pennies to help train more dogs. The facilitators put pictures of service dogs on small plastic containers for the kids to take home. Teachers in the school placed larger containers in their classroom. After one month, by doing extra chores at home or for a neighbor, the children collected $ 950.00 for the Morris Service Dog program.

The members enjoyed the “hands-on” part of the project by packaging “doggie bags”. Each doggie bag contained a few different kinds of dog bones and a tennis ball donated by local merchants. The kids tied the bags with a red ribbon and attached a Morris Service Dog Program business card. The “doggie bags” were distributed by volunteers at the Chicago Dog Show to anyone who donated to the Morris Service Dog Program. By making the “doggie bags,” the Club helped them collect an additional $450.00.

Wellness House/Rotary Club – Walk/Run -- The Wellness House in Hinsdale, supports local cancer patients and their families. A spokesperson explained to the kids that not only does the cancer patient need support, but the other family members do as well. The kids could help families dealing with cancer by participating in the Walk/Run.

The kids agreed to help and were joined by their families, friends and neighbors. As a “tie- in” to the Walk/Run, the Club promoted another local organization, Share Your Soles, which collects gently used shoes and “shares” them around the world. They collected and delivered over 300 pairs of shoes to Share Your Soles.

The Club also uses “local” talent from Elm School. Two moms, Madelyn Schaik, a health-care community relations specialist and Beatrice Probst, an emergency room physician at the Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital, brought the Child Life Specialist to speak to the Club about the pediatric playroom and school tutoring program. The Club filled “Giggle Bags” with small toys and crafts for children being admitted to the hospital. After listening to the speakers, they decided to expand the project to a movie and toy collection for the Child Life Program.

Trish says, “The Kids Care Clubs website gives us many great ideas, resources and projects that we “customize” for our community.” Other projects the Club has implemented are:
* Support the Troops
* Bag Lunches for the Homeless
* Thanksgiving Food Drive Toys for Tots /Thresholds
* Book Drive for an inner-city school and “Bookworms”.
* Art Supplies for Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center
* Holiday Stockings

“Be My Valentine Kits,” the most recent project, involved members and their families decorating a box and filling it with playing cards, chocolate kisses, crossword puzzles, nail polish, and hand cream for seniors at the Bruwaert Housing Nursing Home. Homemade Valentines signed, “From a Kid Who Cares” were included in the box. The fourth and fifth graders delivered the kits and played “Valentine Bingo” with the residents.

Michele and Trish agree that they get a lot out of running a Kids Care Club.
Michele says, “I have four children (three of whom are still at Elm school) and as we all know, children learn by example. I am proud to know that I am raising caring and compassionate children. Since I have been involved in community outreach at Elm School I was invited to be on the Hanson Center’s Advisory Board of Directors.”

Trish says, “Watching the children learn at a young age the value of helping those less fortunate has been very rewarding. Kids Care Club gives you such wonderful ideas to help teach children the benefits of volunteering and the kids really feel good about giving rather than receiving.”

Kids Care Clubs commends the Elm School Kids Care Club for its enthusiastic service to their community. And, we heartily agree with Trish’s philosophy, “When children learn to be helpful and caring citizens at a young age, it is something they will carry with them for a lifetime. If everyone could be more involved in service, imagine what a better world this would be.”

Kids Care Clubs is pleased to be joined by Quaker in providing special recognition for the Club of the Month. Members of the Elm School Kids Care Club will receive a special gift directly from Quaker to share with their families and friends.