Fox Lake students take field trip to help people in need
Despite Friday's frigid temperatures, first-graders from Lotus Elementary School in Fox Lake were outside to hang donated cold weather clothing in four parks in Fox Lake and Round Lake Beach to help people in need.
The students moved quickly to place apparel on fences and posts, along with signs reading, "You are not alone! Need a scarf, hat or pair of gloves? Please take one! Happy New Year!" They visited Lakefront and Millennium parks in Fox Lake and Morningside and Fairview parks in Round Lake Beach.
The students' work was part of a Scarves in the Park project. Students from Lotus School and Indian Hill Elementary School in Round Lake Heights worked together to craft signs and write persuasive letters seeking donated items, Lotus first-grade teacher Erica Barraza said.
In all, about 80 students and six teachers from Lotus rode on school buses during the morning field trip to the four parks.
"We're hanging up our signs, letting people know that even though it's cold and they might be alone out here, we're here to help," Lotus School first-grade teacher Kelli Wodrich said. "They can take some warm things to get through the winter."