AT GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

from Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update, May 2023

DISTRICT INFORMATION

Leads Initiative To Help Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of Northeast Ohio

Marisa, a fifth-grade student at Grant Elementary School, took the initiative to launch a school-wide pulltab collection drive, raising considerable resources for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio She led her peers, school staff, and family in this effort to help provide much-needed assistance to families and children in need.

"I was thinking in kindergarten, we did pop-tab collections as fundraisers, and we haven't done that for a while I wanted to do something that can help people," Marisa said, detailing her motivation to start the initiative Upon researching ways to help, she discovered the Ronald McDonald House accepted pull-tab donations. Marisa decided to bring the initiative to Grant Elementary.

Working alongside her fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, and with the approval of the school principal, Marisa kick-started the campaign, which quickly generated massive support "I told Mrs Brown about my idea, and she liked it a lot. So the next day, I talked to the principal, and she agreed to help us get started," Marisa shared.

The fundraiser far exceeded their initial expectations The student body showed so much enthusiasm it resulted in the collection of not just small boxes but large garbage bags filled with pull tabs "We started collecting, passing out flyers, and making announcements in school Our efforts had such a big impact that we ended up with garbage bags full of pull tabs, which was amazing," said Marisa.

The collected tabs were transported to the Ronald McDonald House, where they were weighed, and the equivalent value was donated to the charity. The funds raised will go toward therapies, surgeries, food, and family support activities offered by the organization

Mrs Brown expressed pride in her student's accomplishments "Marisa has done extremely well People are recognizing what a great young lady she is. She skipped recess multiple times to help with the project, showing a level of dedication that is truly admirable," she said.

Marisa's drive and dedication have not only provided valuable resources to the Ronald McDonald House but also instilled a sense of community service and responsibility among her peers at Grant Elementary School

"Marisa has truly demonstrated exceptional leadership skills She consistently thinks outside the box and always considers the bigger picture,” Mrs. Brown added. “We rely on students who can see beyond what's right in front of them, who can transcend their own needs, and who possess a level of maturity that speaks highly of their upbringing. Marisa's parents have clearly instilled these valuable skills in her."

This initiative sets a great example and represents the spirit of empathy and giving back that we like to encourage in our students at Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools