Bartlett's Centennial Elementary School students working to spread kindness

Though still feeling the regulatory impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in their classrooms, students, staff and parents at Centennial Elementary School in Bartlett are hoping that acts of kindness also can be infectious.

They currently are halfway through a kindness-focused fundraising campaign called "Raise Craze," which they hope will inspire the generosity of the wider community through Friday, Oct. 8.

Students of the Elgin Area District U-46 school took part in an "Acts of Kindness Kick-off" event last week, at which they collected donations for Anderson Pet Shelter, DuPage PADS, and the Hanover Township and DuPage County food banks.

They also completed individual acts of kindness by painting kindness rocks to hide around the community, writing thank-you letters to local veterans and making paper flowers for homebound seniors.

The school also partnered with Feed My Starving Children to give students the opportunity to volunteer in preparing meals that will reach hungry and malnourished children around the world.

Centennial Elementary's Parent Teacher Committee also hopes to raise $15,000 specifically to support teacher and classroom assistance, supplemental educational programs and building upgrades.

Those in the community hoping to make a donation to Centennial Elementary School's efforts to spread kindness should visit the general donation link at my.raisecraze.com/give/az32ja8/.