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‘Pay it forward’ becomes more than words at St. Matthew
- The Posey County News
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
By Lois Mittino Gray
St. Matthew Catholic School fourth grade teacher Keely Burkhart read from an incredible list at the school’s “Pay It Forward Project” ceremony held after mass on Thursday, April 23. It was a list of total checks and gifts collected by 29 students in grades K-5 to be given to representatives of community organizations that morning. “What is the final impact 29 students can make in doing good?” she asked. All students chose a worthy recipient for their attentions and came up with clever ways to raise funds for their goals ending up with the impressive list of good works from the ‘faith in action’ program
She read a list that included raising a whopping $8,431.00 in monetary donations, 218 non-perishable food items, 7 blessing bags, 5 hygiene products, and one large tote of children’s clothes. For babies, the list included six packs of baby wipes, six pacifiers, five soap bottles, two bottle brushes, and one box of diapers. For the furry friends, there were five packs of pet treats and one collar. One meal was served to patrons at the Ronald McDonald House.
“Rooted in our Catholic faith, this project calls us to live out the teachings of Jesus by serving others with love, compassion, and generosity. In doing so, we create a ripple effect of goodness that reflects Christ’s love and spreads hope throughout our community and beyond. Students are learning that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a powerful difference,” Burkhart told the assembly before the checks and gifts were presented. “Even the smallest acts can change a life. Together, we are making a difference,” she announced with pride.
The projects were varied and included baking, growing plants, doing artwork, physical labor and errands, and shoveling snowy driveways. Fifth graders Conner Osborne and Luke Konrath sold lemonade and walked dogs to earn money for the American Red Cross. Third grader Hazel Sharber collected 210 baby supply items in a large tote for Borrowed Hearts. Another third grader Paisley Raben said of her donation to River Bend Food Pantry, “We don’t want anyone to go hungry. Helping people is the right thing to do.” Four teams total worked for the River Bend Food Pantry and students set up tables at a local grocery store and sold lemonade at makeshift stands
Magdalena Baumgardt was called “a girl on a mission” who raised $1,005.00 by herself making and selling cookies, speaking at Trinity Church, and spending three hours cooking a meal for the Ronald McDonald House. Celia Seifert baked and sold sixty kuchens for the At the Cross Mission and was able to donate $600.00 from selling them for $10.00 each. “Everyone needs to be fed a delicious meal,” she told the audience referring to the Mission’s free meals. She made a few extra kuchens all by herself the night before to give to Reverend Myers Hyman who accepted her check donation and goodie bag with a big smile.
Perhaps the most poignant speech was made by third grader Derrick Buchanon who raised money for Isaiah 117. “I chose Isaiah 117 because I know what it’s like to be in foster care before I was adopted by my loving family and am now in a safe house.” He shoveled driveways and earned $245.00 for his charity.
Trotter House received $650.00 after a team of three collected money, made cookies and wrote letters of encouragement to women and children there. Third graders Samuel and Jacob sold succulents they raised Big Brothers and Big Sister. They were able to cover the $500 needed for a bowling fee in the organization’s Sunday tournament, with $665 left over for the group.
Two teams dedicated their funds raised to the Mason Mileham Memorial Foundations for childhood cancer research. They donated $996.00 in his honor. Mason was a classmate of the four boys and he attended the school until he passed away from cancer.. “He was a good influence on us. If he was here today, he would be happy,” they agreed. One of them was his cousin who raised $856.00 making picture frames with prayers and psalms he drew.
New Life Animal Rescue and Adoption got a check totaling $1627.00 received from the work of four teams. Makayla Clowers made and sold bracelets, others were handymen doing errands and taking out trash raising $385. “Consider adopting a dog or cat” was the mantra of the group.
Charlotte raised $1800 for Happy Feet of Posey County. “Every child should have a new pair of shoes,” she said. Brandon Cole, who founded the local chapter of the organization said it has grown big enough to give every student in Posey County a pair of new shoes. “We will buy many pairs of shoes with this. Jesus washed feet. We wash the feet of the community,” Cole remarked.
Burkhart recognized the work done by the kindergarten through second graders who took part in this project in a special way. “Working together as a class, they collected items to support those in need, showing that even our youngest students can make a meaningful difference. Their generosity and teamwork are a beautiful reminder that no act of kindness is too small,” she noted. The kindergarten class collected 164 pairs of kids socks and underwear for the Black Township Trustee’s Office. The First grade collected 45 food items for River Bend Food Pantry and second graders collected 69 items for New Life Rescue and Adoption.
“This represents lives touched, needs met, and we appreciate all of you community volunteers and our parents help,” the enthusiastic teacher said.
“There are so many lessons we teach in the classroom, and while students may not remember every math problem or English standard, my prayer is that they remember this project. I hope it plants a seed within them--a seed that grows into a desire to be the change in our world and make it a better place for others. I hope it creates a ripple effect,” she wished.