On Sunday, December 15, 2024, UUCC’s youth group collected your gift items for Cradlerock Elementary’s “Bulldog Gift Gallery” — an opportunity for students at the school to “shop” for holiday gifts for their loved ones without spending money. Thank you to all in our UUCC community who contributed; thank you for spreading the joy of giving!
We invite you to view the thank you message below which was sent to event organizers Valerie Hsu and Anne Gould from Kathleen Miller, the Family & Community Engagement Coordinator at Cradlerock Elementary School:
Happy New Year, Valerie , Anne, members of the UUCC and especially the UUCC youth volunteer team! 🙂
Cradlerock cannot thank you enough for making the “Bulldog Gift Gallery” a reality for our students again this year. Thanks to your planning, time, and generosity, OVER 300 Cradlerock students reflected on a special person in their life and thoughtfully “purchased” and wrapped the perfect gift for them. Our students were beyond excited to use the currency they earned by being respectful , on task , cooperative and kind to shop for someone special.
It is especially heartwarming to “overhear” some of their conversations with peers as they discuss who and what they are shopping for and why. Here are just a few comments:
- I am looking for something yellow because my dad loves yellow.
- This is for my bestie because she is my sunshine.
- I cannot wait to give it to my Auntie! She is going to be so happy!
- I bought something for my Nana…she loves jewelry and she is going to love this blue necklace.
- I am getting something for my dad . He had surgery today and I want to get something to help him feel better.
- I am getting this purple stuffed dinosaur for my mom and little brother because they BOTH love animals!
- This is for my Kindergarten teacher from last year because I miss her and love her!
- Last year I bought something for my mom. This year I am getting something for my dad!
- I am looking for something for my whole family because we like to do things together.
Gift Gallery “Shopping Day” has become one of my favorite days of the school year. It highlights our students thoughtfulness, selflessness, and joy in giving to others. Traits that beyond academics, are critical for building healthy communities in the future.
Please see the Bulldog Gift Gallery Link to view photos of the shop. Due to privacy, I am unable to include student photos.
Superintendent Barnes also took the opportunity to stop by Cradlerock and browse with students as they shopped. He was very impressed by the inventory! We let him know it was all possible due to our amazing community partner, UUCC.
Thank you,
Kathleen
The chaos of gift collection and sorting…
…became the Bulldog Gift Gallery at Cradlerock Elementary!
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