The fence that runs along the parking lot at St. Mary Catholic School in Elgin may not be decked out in typical holiday style, but it certainly captures the spirit of the season.
It’s covered in plastic bags containing gloves and mittens for children and adults, each bag decorated by students in the school’s pre-kindergarten and 3rd-grade classes.
A sign that’s posted at the site reads, “Please take what you need. Stay warm this winter. Inspire kindness & pay it forward.”
St. Mary Principal Kathleen Miller said the idea came from pre-K teacher Kelly Johnson and 3rd-grade teacher Kathryn Wizieck, who thought it would be a good way their classes could collaborate on something positive for the community.
“It’s exciting to see these grade levels working together,” Miller said. “There’s a camaraderie there, and a spirit that they all just want to help.”
The giveaway project is also an example of St. Mary’s outreach efforts and to teach students of the need to do good for others, she said.
“All students throughout the school year are involved with service projects, in giving back to the community,” Miller said.
They’ve had 86 pairs of gloves or mittens donated for the effort, and a few pairs have been taken from the fence so far, Administrative Assistant Melissa Lock said.
The school closes Friday for the start of the winter break, but the bags will remain on the fence until they are all taken, Miller said. Should any more pairs be donated after that point, the school will make sure they get donated to groups who get them to people in need.
There’s not much need for hands and gloves with the unseasonably warm temperatures moving through the area mid-week, but that will be short-lived. Daytime highs are expected to be back to the mid- to low-30s and even colder at night by the weekend, the latest forecast says.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
