Poland pupils earn $700 for Rescue Mission

Staff report

POLAND — Fourth-graders in Sharyn DiMuzio’s Poland Dobbins Elementary class learned some lasting lessons about giving to those less fortunate than themselves, thanks to a recent class project.

At the same time, Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley — which gives the homeless food, shelter, safety and a second chance — is the beneficiary of the pupils’ hard work.

Fifty pupils from the classes will present Rescue Mission officials with a $700 check today. The money represents two months of the children’s work .

“I made it very clear to my students that they could not simply ask their parents to hand over the money — it had to come directly as a result of their sacrifices,” DiMuzio said. “Whether it was doing extra chores, forgoing their snack money or donating their allowances, I wanted them to understand what giving was about.”

Some children shoveled neighborhood driveways. Others entertained younger siblings while their mothers cooked.

DiMuzio said there was 100 percent participation among her pupils. “And I told them that every penny counts; no contribution was too small or insignificant,” she said. “We had a lot of classroom discussion about the homeless … how they got that way, and how the Rescue Mission works to improve their lives.”

The class that collected the most money enjoyed a pizza party. LaRocca’s of Poland has generously donated the pizza for the last three years.