Dist. 21 students give of themselves for community

Students and families across School District 21 have recently donated their time, talents and resources to support organizations in the community.

"We greatly value the support our community gives our schools and students, and we're glad to have the opportunity to show our students the importance of helping others and giving back," said Dr. Kate Hyland, superintendent of District 21.

Seventh-graders from Cooper Middle School recently designed and made quilts to give to veterans in the community. The donation was made in conjunction with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to "cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor."

At Whitman Elementary School, students donated money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and in exchange, were able to wear hats during the school day. Coordinated by Student Council, Whitman donated more than $700.

Third-graders from Frost Elementary School raised more than $450 for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry through a collection of pennies. Inspired by their classmates, students from all grade levels at Frost began donating as well to boost the third-graders' efforts. The generosity at Frost will continue into May as part of District 21's annual districtwide food drive to support the Wheeling Food Pantry.

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