For more information, contact: Nicole Groody 860-868-7377 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Instilling the Spirit of Caring

WASHINGTON, CT (December 5, 2003) - While some would expect moaning and groaning from children when asked to help do something, Glenholme students quickly picked up markers, construction paper and glue and began decorating 15 large boxes. These 15 boxes housed bountiful Thanksgiving dinners that were delivered to the VNA Northwest for needy families in the local community.

Hilary, age 13, sat quietly, but restlessly in the living room as the group talked about the families who may not be able to go shopping or have enough money to afford a Thanksgiving dinner. When prompted all six girls could begin, Hilary jumped up and eagerly organized the supplies she would need to make an ordinary box into a turkey. This turkey, as Hilary explains, "will hold all the stuff families need to make the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. We collected a lot of food last week at our school and at the Washington Food Market. We also went shopping to buy a lot more. It was a fun project and the people at the VNA were nice. They looked like they were very happy to see us dropping off the food."

Since 1997, The Glenholme School's students have organized a can food drive, shopped, and assembled 15 baskets that are given to the Visiting Nurses Association - Northwest. The VNA distributes the baskets the day before Thanksgiving to local families who would benefit from a Thanksgiving dinner. Bridget Beauchaine, Administrative Assistant to the Director of the VNA explains that the baskets served, "16 families that represented 26 adults, 7 children and two teenagers. The people who received the baskets were thrilled with the extra touches from the children. They loved the decorated turkey boxes and cards. Their enthusiasm and creativity really made a difference."

Devereux Glenholme's Community Service Program illustrates how kids really want to help others. Community service experiences allow students to witness the results of their efforts and as a result, build self-confidence. Being part of the entire process of the Thanksgiving basket donation: decorating the boxes, cards, shopping, promoting the can food drives and assembling the baskets to best suit the needs of each family, reinforces the spirit of caring and personal satisfaction.