The Waterloo chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society and the fifth-grade Art Club at LaFayette Intermediate School recently formed a dream team to give back to people in need during the holidays. Approximately 30 fifth-grade students, along with high school students Chloe Garner and Samantha Smith, volunteered to stay after school in November to assemble family time packets filled with fun activities that families can do during the holidays, such as arts and crafts, recipes, and more. 

Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Rieck, the faculty advisors for the NEHS, had been looking for opportunities to develop a cadence for community service projects.

“We try to complete one service project a month,” said Mrs. Thomas. “When I saw this opportunity on Facebook, I thought it would be perfect for NEHS.”

Mrs. Thomas reached out to the United Way of Seneca County, who sent the packets for students to assemble in early November. The NEHS was scheduled to use the school art room to assemble the kits, only to realize they were scheduled the same day as an art club meeting. Thankfully, there were several students involved in both clubs who thought it would be a great idea to combine their efforts to complete the project. They brought the idea to both Mrs. Thomas and art club advisor Mrs. Ashley Caves, who both thought it was a great idea.

“It was a great experience for all of those students to work together,” said Mrs. Thomas. “I’m so grateful that the art club students were able to work with us.”

The assembled packets were sent back to United Way in mid-November, and distributed to 300 preschool families in need throughout Seneca County.