Making a Difference: Third Graders Lead the Charge for Soldiers and Neighbors

Submitted by Rachel Brainin and Michelle Sussmann, Third Grade Teachers

If you’ve ever wondered how many “extra” pounds of candy students in the Lower School had this year after trick or treating, wonder no more. We had an “extra” 375 pounds of candy!! Yes, that’s the weight of a female black bear …. or in our case, 4 giant garbage pails full of candy. But this wasn’t just extra candy, this was candy with a purpose. Many Lower School students went trick-or-treating with the knowledge that the more candy they got, the more they would be able to donate to a very good cause.

On the Monday after Halloween, the candy started to come in. In fact, by 8:30 AM that day, we had already filled one giant garbage pail with candy. After collecting for a week, the candy was delivered to Sedona TapHouse, in Cliffside Park, NJ, where they work with a program called Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops. Candy is distributed to active military as well as veterans. By sending this sweet treat, it is our way of putting a smile on their faces and thanking them for their service.

While the candy collection was in full swing, it was November, and that meant time for Third Graders Making a Difference to turn our attention to a new issue – hunger. We joined the entire Dwight-Englewood community in support of the Center for Food Action (CFA), right here in Englewood. CFA provides food relief to over 4,000 people in Bergen County.

Third Graders met (virtually) with the Director of CFA. We invited 4th graders to join in this meeting while we learned about the dire situation CFA is facing. With people no longer receiving SNAP benefits and CFA not receiving government assistance during the government shutdown, their always great needs are now even greater. Students learned just how much their help is needed. This inspired them to set goals and put in all their effort to bring in hundreds of items for the Center for Food Action.

This year, our third graders are learning about so many people and organizations in need, both locally and around the world. Equally important, they are learning firsthand that they – even at 8 and 9 years old – have the power to make a difference in the world!