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Union Elementary first-graders help Make-A-Wish
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Union first-graders recently sold popcorn for 25 cents a bag to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In one day, the students raised $115 to add to Union's Make-A-Wish fund. A group of first graders showed off some of the signs they used for advertising and some of their delicious product on the afternoon of Jan. 20. The students are, from left, David Soles (back), Carson Grimes, Aiden Davis, Madelyn Ray, Andy Clark (front), and Antonio D'Alesio.
By SARAH FOOR
The smell of warm, buttery popcorn wafted through the halls of Union Elementary on Jan. 20, as the first-grade students in the classes of Sue Flasco, Alice Colella and Nancy Zamary sold bags of the treat to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
For their fundraiser, the first-graders received donated kernels and had a group of volunteers pop the corn and bag the treats. The students sold large bags of popcorn for 25 cents a piece and managed to raise $115 by the close of Jan. 20.
“During lunch, we couldn’t hand out the bags fast enough,” said Flasco.
“Our first-graders are excited about helping out Make-A-Wish because they’re really part of the process. They dreamed up the idea, brought it to fruition and really succeeded in raising money for the organization,” added Zamary.
The first-graders’ project is part of Union’s school-wide fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Through community support and grade-by-grade sales and activities, Union has collected $3,000 of its $6,000 goal for Make-A-Wish.
Principal Mike Masucci said the runaway success of the project is due in part to the investment his students have found in the mission of Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants the wishes of seriously-ill children.
“Lessons learned through Make-A-Wish will last a lifetime. The kids are learning about teamwork, showing drive to accomplish goals and realizing the importance of serving the community and respecting the differences in others. They’re helping a dream happen, which I know is something they won’t soon forget,” Masucci said.
Union plans to grant a wish to a local Poland youth with its fundraising.
Along with the hard work of his students, Masucci said the help of PNC Bank and Cocca’s Pizza has been integral during the process.