SCA members prepare to package up blankets, tissues and lotion to send over to Lucy Corr Village as part of their latest collection drive.

Residents of Lucy Corr Village will be able to face the long winter months a little more comfortably thanks to some kind hearts at O.B. Gates Elementary. With Christmas less than a month away, the school’s Student Council Association capped off their latest collection drive last week, collecting over $350 to be used to purchase lap blankets, lotion, and boxes of tissues for Lucy Corr’s residents.

“These are the things that our residents have to buy on their own, so we are extremely grateful for the work that these students have done,” says Jean Russell, special events coordinator at Lucy Corr. “The kids worked so hard and did a really great job to help keep our residents nice and warm in the winter.”

Hoping to generate at least one lap blanket per class, the SCA, as well as ambassadors from each classroom, began their collection drive three weeks ago, asking for monetary donations from each classroom. As of last week, the school had collected 59 blankets, 35 bottles of lotion, and 35 boxes of tissues, as well as an additional $97 that would be used to purchase more supplies.

“We are very proud of our boys and girls in the SCA who have worked so hard to help all members of our school community. We have very kind children at this school,” says Gates Assistant Principal Giulianna Brink.

Students weren’t the only ones jumping up to lend a hand. Room mothers Lois Tench and Gail Rice have been key players in the drive, collecting donations throughout the school, shopping for donations, and delivering the donations to Lucy Corr.

“The parents here get very involved and really support anything that we do here at the school. They are invaluable members of our school community,” says Brink. “Anything that we do, we can count on them to help.”

Though students have helped residents at Lucy Corr before, this drive marks the first of its kind for the retirement community.

“When we organize these drives, we try to do things with the local community. That way, students can see the impact,” says Samantha Macmillian, second-grade teacher and one of the SCA faculty representatives.

Fifth-grade teacher Melinda Steele, the other SCA faculty representative, had also helped in the selection process in choosing Lucy Corr as the recipient of the school’s latest donation.

“We are teaching students to work together for a community purpose and to not forget our elderly neighbors,” says Steele. “Quite a few of our children have relatives at Lucy Corr, so this is our chance to be neighborly.”

Parent volunteers, along with students, delivered the blankets to Lucy Corr on Wednesday, November 19. Last year, students collected over 5,000 cans for the Central Virginia Food Bank and have conducted donation drives in the past, creating Easter baskets for Lucy Corr and McGuire Veterans Hospital.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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