School children collect items for charity

McALLEN — The children are the future, but they have a few thoughts about how they can change things right now.

Today, a canned food drive; tomorrow, perhaps, a community garden in the corner of the playground, producing both oxygen and food for the poor.

The 22 students who make up Fields Elementary School’s student advisory board met Tuesday to present the results of their first project, a school-wide canned food drive. But they’re planning to expand their collection efforts to include used clothes during the days leading up to Christmas.

“You do something good, and the world is going to be more big and beautiful,” said third-grader Santiago Perera.

The school leaders, who plan to have an election next week to pick a president and other officers, partnered with the nonprofit Hispanic Women’s Network to collect food and clothes for the Sacred Heart Church’s food pantry.

“I couldn’t think of a better partner,” said Alida Hernandez, the network’s president.

In two weeks, Fields students filled four garbage cans — mostly from their parents’ cabinets.

“My dad doesn’t know a way to help, but he wants to,” said Kelly Sweeney, a fifth-grader. “So they said, ‘Take whatever.’”

Robert Shaney, a fourth-grader, also raided his kitchen.

“I loved it. We saw so many cans to put in,” he said. “The first time I put one in, my heart just felt so great.”

____

Sara Perkins covers Mission, western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4472.