CHARLEVOIX — This week, Charlevoix second-graders hit the aisles of Walmart with one mission to buy as many toys as possible for local families in need.
Each group of students was given $700 to spend, thanks to donations from local businesses, families, and Walmart, which chipped in an extra $4,000.
Second-grade teacher Chris Isch said this tradition goes far beyond just filling shopping carts.
“It’s usually the first time that some of the kids realize that their friends live different lifestyles than they do. So, this is a huge project in just allowing the kids to think differently about their friends and put themselves in different positions.”
The effort is part of the Charlevoix community Christmas Project, a long-standing organization that distributes toys to families across the region.
Project co-chair Erica Mitchell said the project inspires kids to think about others.
“We have seen our impact on the community and the families in our community, and that need never goes away. If anything, it continues to grow,” said Mitchell. “And knowing that not only are we impacting students, but our students are having an opportunity to then impact families.”
Teachers said the project embodies exactly what they want their students to learn: empathy, community pride, and the joy of giving.
“One thing that this project really does is give them that opportunity to give back and then to be proud of themselves,” said Mitchell. “And really, we are just the movers of the whole project. It’s the kids who are at the heart. It’s the kids who get all the credit and deserve all the credit.”
Students and volunteers packed up nearly 1,200 toys that will now be distributed to families in need.