Mrs. Stewart is an elementary teacher at Mount Comfort Elementary in Indiana. “Service and philanthropy are important to my students in order for them to better understand the world they live in today,” explained Stewart. “Many of them had not had the experience of volunteering or contributing to their community in a service way until this project was completed.”  

A group of 42 1st and 2nd grade students participated in the project Stocking Surprise with the help of a Learning to Give mini-grant. After incorporating the lesson unit on Selflessness, the students learned about nursing homes and the care that the elderly in the community need on a daily basis.  

Two classes came together to fill stockings for senior citizens during the holiday season. Students researched what items would be most needed and filled the stockings with shampoos, lotions, toothbrushes, small candies and hand-made cards. The students delivered the stockings and sang carols to the seniors while visiting.  

“My students learned about donating time and resources as a kind act of service for someone they don’t know,” said Mrs. Stewart.  

The grant money allowed Mrs. Stewart to encourage and support her students in their efforts to be productive members of society and learn ways to give to their community.