Holy Family students turn 21st century trash into treasure

Ever pay for a latte with a gift card, and then have the card handed back to you with a remaining balance of a whopping thirty-three cents? Or, how about the well-meaning relative who presents you with a generous gift card to a store you never frequent? While many of us are walking around with wallets bulging with unused gift cards or cards containing nominal balances, the fifth-grade students at Holy Family Academy in Inverness have found a way to turn those seemingly worthless gift cards into treasure for people in need.

Anna Freveletti, an 11-year-old student at Holy Family, suggested the idea to her teacher, Mrs. Elaina Portugal, and her classmates. Anna got the idea while sitting at her computer one day and checking the balances on all her gift cards over the past year. Her unused balances totaled over $20, and she said to her parents, “that's a lot of money to go to waste … there has to be some way that someone can use that money even if I can't.”

“Our school prides itself on preparing students for the 21st century," states Mrs. Portugal, and prepaid gift cards have definitely become a major part of today's economy.”

Currently, it's estimated that gift card sales amount to $90 billion compared to just $19 billion in 1999. Earlier this year, the accounting firm of Grant Thornton LLP reported that a sizable number, somewhere between 10 and 19 percent, of consumer gift cards purchased are never redeemed. When the Holy Family fifth-graders heard this, minds started working.

Holy Family's curriculum focuses on 21st century skills through the use of inquiry-based learning.

“Much of the learning that goes on at Holy Family Academy involves applying subject matter to real world issues. Our students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that prepare them for life in the 21st century,” states Dr. Gretchen Ludwig, Principal.

A natural extension of this learning at Holy Family often exposes students to issues of charity and social justice. This fifth-grade project was a perfect example of this style of learning.

Mrs. Portugal used this project to incorporate persuasive writing and business letter writing skills as the students solicited people for their gift cards.

“The cards we collected had balances ranging from 12 cents to $50,” stated Anna. The end result is that the students collected almost $300. They identified WINGS as a charity that could use their help, researched their needs from their online “wish list,” pooled like cards and ultimately converted those unused cards into food and clothing for people in need.

The real world learning that resulted from this project tapped into the students' critical thinking, creativity, and compassion to help people in need. A far more valuable lesson than their parents experienced in the “old days” collecting loose change for charity. Clearly, the work of this fifth-grade class results in turning someone's trash to another's treasure — 21st century style.