Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools March/April 2018 | Page 17

with the Children’s Home Society of Not too far away from Ava, third North Carolina, which will collect and grader Mark Diffley distribute the bags to foster children was carefully putting the finishing in the greater Charlotte area. touches on the artwork on his bag. “That’s important because while “Foster children may not have the service projects that we’ve done anything other than black plastic bags in the past have been for other to carry their things in, and they need countries, it’s also important for the more than that and they deserve more students to realize that we have than that,” he said. “I drew a surfer needs here too as well,” Jennifer said. on my bag and I wrote Dream Big on One thing people may not it because everyone should have big realize, said Children’s Home dreams.” Society of North Carolina As she looked at the sweet cases, Recruitment Specialist Kaitlyn Jennifer Hoover said she was in awe of Together We Rise, a nonprofit with a mission of improving Dishman, is that there are currently the lives of foster children, sent the sweet cases supplies the variety of inspirational messages 102 Union County children in foster to Rea View Elementary and connected the school with that students wrote on the bags. The care. Many of those children, as well the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, which will teachers never discussed specific as foster children across the country, collect and distribute the bags to foster children in the messaging with the students, she may not have their own belongings. greater Charlotte area. added, and yet phrases like “believe “When they come into foster care in yourself” and “reach for the stars,” or when they move to another house, they have to put all of their were painted onto nearly every tote bag. things in trash bags,” she said. “But these sweet cases give them “Those messages are so ingrained in them because they get a bit of dignity and something to take with them as they move to hear it every day. So it struck me how really privileged we around. These are really important to them.” are not only just economically but also with emotional support,” Standing at a table with friends, Rea View elementary student she said. “I just hope our students understand they may have Ava Jane Tomlinson carefully wrote Bee-utiful on her tote bag next advantages that other children don’t necessarily have. And that’s to her carefully drawn picture of a bee. not something to be taken for granted.” “I like making the sweet cases because I want to help other kids,” –This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communication Office. she said. “And we just need more goodness like this in the world.” The Bean and Belle Art Studio Summer Art Camp 103 West South Main St. • Historic Downtown Waxhaw 4705 Indian Trail-Fairview Rd. Indian Trail, NC 28079 www.xicenter.com 704-882-1830 4705 Indian Trail-Fairview Rd | Indian Trail, NC 28079 Register Now! Space is limited! $ 10 off 10 $ First Time Learn-to-Skate Enrollment Cannot be combined with any other offer. One per customer. Use code LTS10. Exp 1.31.18 Visit our website for camp dates and registration information. www.thebeanandbelle.com 704-607-6405 • [email protected] Whether it be painting, drawing, or sculpting, our uniquely designed summer camps will give your budding Cannot be combined with any other offer. artist a chance to spread their wings and CREATE! One per customer. Exp 1.31.18 BUY ONE GET ONE OFF FREE First Time Skate Skate Admission Learn-to-Skate Public Public does not include skate rental Enrollment Admission does not include skate rental Cannot be combined with any other offer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Exp. 04.30.18 One coupon per customer. Exp. 04.30.18 Cannot be combined with any other offer. One per customer. Exp 1.31.18 FREE $ 10 Skate Rental off $ 10 OFF Birthday Birthday Party Party Cannot be combined with other offer. Cannot combined with any other offer. Cannot be any combined with any other be offer. One coupon per customer. Exp. customer. 04.30.18 Exp 1.31.18 One coupon per customer. Exp. 04.30.18 One per Parent Teacher Magazine • Mar/Apr 2018 • 15